Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to more than 1,600 species of flowering plants, including 100 native tree species and 100 native shrub species. The most unusual plant in the park is undoubtedly the Ghost Plant, which is also known as Indian Pipe or Pinesap. The thing that makes this plant so unusual is that it lacks chlorophyll and doesn't need sunlight to survive, thus giving it the unique “ghost-like” appearance! Here are the top 3 things to know about the unusual Ghost Plant in Smoky Mountains National Park:
1. Description of the Plant
The Ghost Plant, scientifically referred to as Monotropa uniflora, has a couple of spooky characteristics! In fact, if you ever see the plant growing in the woods, it’s easy to see where it gets its common name! The white, almost translucent, look of the spindly nodding plant is eerie enough to conjure up the images of ghosts. Some people have even described the Ghost Plant as resembling dead flesh, like human fingers drained of all blood! The stems bear a single flower, and the fruit, an oval capsule-like structure, enlarges and becomes upright when the seeds mature.
2. Where to Find the Ghost Plant in the Park
Rather than growing from the sun, the plant grows in the shadows of trees and gets its energy from the fungus that grows on tree roots. Therefore, the ghost plant is essentially a forest parasite that is typically found in the darkest parts of the woods. This alone makes the plant difficult to find, but they can also be overlooked by their small size. The ghost plant also blooms for a short period each year (from June through September), which further reduces the window of opportunity for spotting them. Keep your eyes open on your next hike through Smoky Mountains National Park to see if you’re lucky enough to see one of these elusive plants!
3. Cultural References
Another one of the top things to know about the unusual Ghost Plant in Smoky Mountains National Park is the cultural references! The plant has a rich cultural history, particularly among Native American tribes in North America, and the Cherokee feature this “Indian Pipe” in some of their folklore. The legend depicts the “Indian Pipe” as a result of chiefs quarreling without resolution and smoking a peace pipe to resolve their differences. The Great Spirit turned the chiefs into grey flowers as a way of reminding people to smoke the pipe only after making peace. The legend goes on to say that the plant is grown wherever friends have quarreled. Beyond the folklore, the plant has also been used medicinally by various tribes for pain relief and other ailments.
While the Ghost Plant might sound spooky, it is a rare treat to find one of these unusual plants in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! While on the subject of ghosts, if you’re interested in some of the ghost stories that have been passed down for generations in the Smokies, check out these spooky Smoky Mountain ghost stories and legends!
