Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora)
Indian pipe is a low unbranched herb with a single recurved flower. It is fairly common in older coniferous forests. The plant has no leaves (only small bracts which clasp the stem) and the recurved flower together with the unbranched stem looks like a pipe and hence, its common name. They have lost all chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize and are therefore, no longer dependent on light. It is not surprising then that the species is very common in the understorey of the Norway spruce plantation where few other plants are found. Indian pipe is actually parasitic on roots of other plants or saprophytic on decaying organic matter.
Take this link to a picture of Indian pipe
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