Indian Pipes

Indian Pipes, Monotropa uniflora, are relatively common in our area, though my wildflower book calls them rare. It is a saprophyte, feeding off decaying material in the soil, is leafless and completely without chlorophyll. These flowers are just starting to go by, as is evident from the black spots and edges. I've seen it in many different places but this was the best clump I had ever seen. It was photographed on the trail to the top of Goose Rock on the north end of Whidbey Island at Deception Pass, the narrow channel that separates Whidbey Island from Fidalgo Island. Goose Rock is known for its varied and wonderful flora and for its granite "balds," thinly covered areas of granite that support this unique flora.

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