Romero Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 I found these on the Oregon coast and have yet to be able to identify them; not even anything like it. They almost look like a plant or even worm, but after some palpation, they certainly seem chitenous. Any info is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermonter Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Looks like Monotropa uniflora--ghost plant. It's a plant, not a fungus. Rather than getting energy by photosynthesis like most plants, it is parasitic on certain fungi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Yes, wonderful find on hikes on the West Coast...always a pleasure to see. I grew up knowing them as Indian Pipe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotropa_uniflora ETA: We saw some this summer hiking just below treeline in Yoho National Park. They always make me smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 I call them Indian Pipes, too. They grew in Michigan, where I grew up, and I see them around here in Virginia once in a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 If not Monotropa uniflora --which the photos here really look like-- then some other species of Monotropa. The fungi that Monotropa parasitize are mycorrhizal with living trees (symbiotic tree/fungus relationship). So, indirectly, Monotropa gets it's nutrients from trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romero Posted November 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 Thanks so much! This was a puzzler! I was pretty certain it was a fungi, but being challenged is the best part of this hobby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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