ID is uncertain 
Monotropa brittonii Small
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Monotropa uniflora L. Indian pipe, ghost plant, corpse plant, Indianpipe, Indian pipes
Indian pipes are natives of the temperate regions of Asia, South America, and North America. They are plants, members of the blueberry family, but unusual ones. Most plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into the energy they need to grow. Indian pipes lack chlorophyll—that's why they're white—and instead get their energy from parasitizing certain fungi. The fungi, in turn, derive their energy from trees. Indian pipes are able to grow on dark forest floors because they don't need light. They even grow in the dark! (Remarkably, there are almost 3,000 species that similarly lack chlorophyll, and get their energy from other means. Since they don't need to be green, they come in all kinds of colors.) Identification: The ghostly pale color of these fragile-looking plants, and the nodding tops, makes them quite unique. In addition to white, plants may also be pink or, rarely, red. Plants are 4-10" (10-25 cm) high. Flowers are white, bell-shaped, about ¾" (1.9 cm) long. They often occur in tight groups. Flowers nod downward during most of their lives, but point straight up when forming seeds—the genus, Monotropa, is named for this trait, meaning "once-turned." Indian pipes appear in rich forests, and are a sign of good hunting grounds for mushrooms.
Rare red form, from a mixed forest near Ithaca, NY, 7/12/2007, by Dave Matthews. Online References:
Tom Volk's Fungi site, at the Department of Biology at the University of Wisconsin The U.S. Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers site The Botanical Society of America Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ... The Natural History of the Northwoods Michael Kuo's MushroomExpert.com
7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts
7/16/2021 · Cox Pinnacle, Brunswick, Maine
10/5/2021 · Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport, Maine
7/15/2019 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, New Long Loop, Hollis, New Hampshire
10/10/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt
10/10/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt
10/10/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt
8/15/2015 · Moose Cave, Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, Maine
After pollination, the normally nodding flowers point upward. · 8/24/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hampshire
7/23/2017 · Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania
Plants are just emerging from the ground. · 6/28/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire Monotropa uniflora description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Sep 2023.
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Usually these are nodding, not upright. · 7/3/2012 · Yellow Trail from Pearl Hill State Park to Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts
Nashoba Conservation Land on Mt. Lebanon Rd · 7/16/2009 · Mt. Lebanon St, Pepperell, Massachusetts
8/14/2015 · Roost Trail, Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, Maine
10/5/2021 · Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport, Maine
After pollination, the normally nodding flowers point upward. · 7/14/2013 · Ball Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts
7/15/2019 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, New Long Loop, Hollis, New Hampshire
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts
1/13/2010 · By Philip A. Despo
These are just peeking through after rains. · 7/21/2021 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine
6/15/2007 · Maine · By Kathleen Williamson
9/4/2023 · Thorne Head Preserve, Bath, Maine
7/28/2009 · Pepperell, Massachusetts · By Philip A. Despo
8/15/2021 · Bass Falls Preserve, Alna, Maine
8/12/2009 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts Range:
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