Image: Wikimedia Commons (See link for license)
Ghost Plant
Monotropa uniflora
ギンリョウソウ
Monotropa uniflora, commonly known as Indian pipe, is actually classified in Ericaceae. As a representative of Burmanniaceae, Burmannia championii is presented here. It is a small mycoheterotrophic herb growing on the floor of tropical and warm-temperate forests, bearing small tubular flowers in pale purple to white.
Identification Points
- ✓Lacks chlorophyll; leaves reduced to scales (mycoheterotrophic plant)
- ✓Stems are white to pale purple, slender and erect
- ✓Flowers are small and tubular with 3 wings
Habitat
Forest floor of warm-region evergreen forests (mycoheterotrophic)
Season
September–November (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Habitat
Forest
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Parallel
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Half-inferior
Phylogenetic Positionヒナノシャクジョウ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Monocots > Dioscoreales > Burmanniaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene
Evolution Notes
Burmanniaceae is a monocot family that has fully achieved mycoheterotrophy. By obtaining organic nutrients through mycorrhizal fungi, these plants have completely lost photosynthetic ability and chlorophyll.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification