Indian Pipe

On a recent walk in the woods I ran across another plant that I can

add to my list of new plants or flowers this year called Indian Pipe.

This plant lives without chlorophyll, thus the white or clear color. It

grows in rich, shady areas of leaf litter much like mushrooms. It gets

its nutrients from a mutual relationship with a type of wood rotting

fungi that generate nutrients for the plant to use.

Indian Pipe  - Montropa uniflora

When fertilized, it turns a pinkish color and 

 when picked it turns black, thus the reason it is also

called Corpse Plant, Ice Plant and Ghost Flower

Native Americans used the juice from

the stem for an eye medicine.

     .

"Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock."

   Henry Ward Beecher(1813-1887): Clergyman, Social Reformer, Abolitionist

To some of my blogger friends, I have been trying to leave you a message on your blogs but for some reason, blogger is not acknowledging my blog name and will not allow me to leave a message. I have tried to comment in the open ID also but no use either. Hopefully they will get the issue resolved soon. I am still able to comment on some blogs but not others. Go Figure! I am still enjoying your posts and will comment as soon as this issue is resolved.  Randy

Mayapple

Mayapple ( Podophyllum peltatum)

is the name of a low growing plant that pops up in colonies in the spring. Mayapple usually grows in a well shaded, rich, deciduous woodland soil in a mountain or hill area . It has a single flower that can be edible and has been used to make jelly and jam. Small amounts of the root were used by Native Americans and early settlers to treat jaundice, hepatitus, fever and syphilis, constipation and as a worm expellant. "Any part of this plant used incorrectly could be dangerous. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous" Some other common names for this plant are "Duck Foot, Devil's Apple, Indian Apple, Hog Apple, Ground Lemon, Mandrake, Racoonberry, Umbrella Plant, Wild Jalap, Wild Lemon, Wild Mandrake and Yellowberry among a few others.

If from a woodlot near we find
A flower of beauty there
And later thought brings to mind
Many uses it has to share

Should we not pause and thank the Lord
Whose creation we behold
And lift our arms to heaven toward
All praise to God be told
                            Randy J. Schultz:  August 7th, 2010