Practical
Plants

Monotropa uniflora

Indian Pipe

a perennial member of the Monotropa genus in the family Pyrolaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant contains several glycosides and is possibly toxic[8].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant can be cooked[3]. It is tasteless if eaten raw, but has a taste like asparagus when it is cooked[2].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the root is antispasmodic, hypnotic, nervine, sedative, tonic[6][4][8]. It is a good remedy for spasms, fainting spells and various nervous conditions[5]. It has been given to children who suffer from fits, epilepsy and convulsions[10]. The plant was used by some native North American Indian tribes to treat eye problems, the stem was bruised and the clear fluid of the stems applied to the eyes[7][10]. The juice from the stems has also been used to treat nervous irritability, including fits and spasms[4]. It has been suggested in the past as a possible opium substitute[4]. An infusion of the leaves has been used to treat colds and fevers[10]. The crushed plant has been rubbed on bunions and warts in order to destroy them[10]. A poultice of the plant has been applied to sores that are difficult to heal[10]. The flowers have been chewed in order to bring relief from toothache[10]. Water extracts of the plant are bactericidal[8].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Warts

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan. Most areas of N. America.
Habitat
Damp coniferous woods in hills and mountains all over Japan[1][11]. Dark rich woodlands in N. America[6].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This is going to be an exceedingly difficult plant to propagate. The seed will need to be sown close to its host plant so one way would be to sow it in the leaf litter under established beech or coniferous trees[1]. Alternatively, you could try sowing the seed in a cold frame in a pot that already contains a potential host plant. If successful, grow the young plant on in the cold frame for a couple of years before planting it out close to an established beech or coniferous tree.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this plant but it should be hardy in this country. It is likely to require shady woodland conditions in a humus-rich moist soil, It is a saprophytic plant, quite devoid of chlorophyll and depending totally on its host plant for nutrient[1].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  6. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  7. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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