COMMON NAME : Indian Pipe, American Iceplant, Bird's nest, Broomrape, Convulsion root, Convulsion weed, Corpse plant, Death plant, Fairy smoke, Ghost flower, Iceplant, One-flowered waxplant, Ova ova, Pipe plant, Waxplant

ELEMENT :Water

RULING PLANET : Moon

GENDER : Feminine

MAGICKAL POWERS : Healing after loss of a loved one.

DESCRIPTION : Monotropa uniflora contains no chlorophyll and so photosynthesis is impossible.

Indian pipe is a perennial that grows 3-9 inches high and has a white, thick, translucent stem that is covered with scaly bracts. The stem terminates in a solitary nodding flower that is 1/2 to 1 inch long.

The flower color ranges from white to salmon pink. There are 4-5 petals, 10-12 stamens, and a single pistil. Indian pipe flowers have no scent. Flowers appear June - September. The floral bracts are elliptic to ovate. The calyx consists of 4-5 sepals often similar to petals. The corolla consists of 3-6 imbricate (regular pattern of overlapping) petals.

The plant has been described as "resembling frozen jelly." It is very tender and succulent. It seems to melt and dissolve to the touch like ice. If picked, Indian pipe turns black quickly. It also turns black as the fruit matures.

Monotropa uniflora has no green leaves. The leaves of Indian pipe are whitish and reduced to scales.

The fruit is an ovoid capsule that becomes enlarged and erect as the seeds mature.

The root is dark and brittle.

Monotropa is a member of the Wintergreen family (Pyrolaceae), containing 10 genera in North America. This family includes pine-drops and beech-drops. There has been some confusion about the family to which M. uniflora belongs. There is a reference to B. and B. claiming this plant as the family Ericaceae, which in incorrect. The B. and B. taken to mean Britton and Brown Illustrated Flora.

Indian pipe should not to be confused with a similar plant Mesembryanthemum crystallignon, the Ice-plant of Europe.

CULTIVATION : Indian pipe grows in woodland humus. The plant is saprophytic meaning it receives its nourishment from decayed organic material. It can be found growing wild from Newfoundland to Washington, south to Florida, California and Central America. Best in rich, moist soil, or soil composed of decayed wood and leaves. It loves to be at the base of trees.

PART OF THE PLANT USED : The root is the part used; it should be gathered in September and October, carefully dried, pulverized, and kept in well-stoppered bottles.

PLANT ANALYSIS : Glycosides, Salicylic acid.

MEDICINAL ACTION : Monotropa uniflora is considered an antispasmodic, tonic, sedative, and nervine, diaphoretic.

MEDICINAL USE : The plant is rarely used in the present day. The juice of the plant used alone or combined with water helps ophthalmic inflammation, ulcers, gonorrhoea, and inflammation and ulceration of the bladder.

Because of the Salicylic acid, the base of asprin, M. unifora is considered a pain reliever.

An infusion has been used for sore, tired swollen eyes. A tea is made from equal parts juice of Indian pipe and fennel seed.

Add the infusion of Indian pipe to douche to help ease vaginal irritations.

DOSAGE : WARNING- Safety is undetermined and it is possibly toxic as it contains several glycosides. It is not recommended that you use this plant internally.

MAGICKAL USE : Use in rituals to honor and let go of a loved one who has died.

HISTORY :

The common name corpse plant is from the waxy bluish appearance of this plant and the resemblance it has to the dead. The plant also decomposes quickly and turns black when handled.

The common name Convulsion Root derives from the past use for convulsions and other spasmodic afflictions in children

The common name Indian Pipe and Pipe plant derive from it's pipe-like appearance.

Scientific name Monotropa uniflora, the name meaning "once-turned" and "single-flowered."

The one turn refers to the flowers facing the ground then turning straight up once seed production begins.

Monotropa uniflora was included in The Canada Pharmacopiea in 1868.

Native Americans used the juice of Indian pipe mixed with water for an eye lotion.

The root was chewed by the native Cree for toothaches.

It was also used externally for inflamed eyes and bunions and warts.

Dried roots used in powder form was used for epilepsy and convulsions in children.

M. uniflora was used in the past as a sedative and as a replacement for opium to help with restlessness, pain, and nervous irritability and various nervous conditions.

LORE : None found