Monotropa uniflora L., or also known as the Indian Pipe, is a part of the Indian-pipe Family. This whole plant has a fleshy feel and is completely transluscent with a tinge of white. Generally you will find these clumped together and grows to be about 10 inches. There is no chlorophyll in this plant and it has a single flower that is shaped like a bell. It grows in a downward manner until fruiting time when it begins to grow upright. In the months between it has thickly walled pod that splits and has many seeds.
The Indian Pipe can be found in moist, shady forests in richly humus areas at low elevations. In North coastal forests in California to Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Texas, eastern North America, northern Mexico, Central and South America, eastern Asia, and Japan.
Herbalists have used the Indian Pipe root as antispasmodic and even as a sedative for epilepsy, convulsions, nervous irritability, restlessness, and spasms. It was used to replace opium for pain as well. A juice infusion was also created to help stubborn eye inflammation, cystitis, and ulcers.
WARNING: Your safety when using this is undetermined, because it may be toxic, it has several different glycosides in this plant which can cause complications.
