When we moved here in 1988, we were thrilled that our forested plot of land offered so many unusual and interesting things to discover.

Almost daily one of us would find something to show each other and if we didn’t know what it was, a trip to the library was in order. Remember this is all before the World Wide Web.

One afternoon, my son Andy came running inside and said he found the coolest mushrooms and I had to come look.

I followed him outside and under the pine trees were the prettiest white mushrooms. Neither of us had ever seen anything like it. My husband said he had seen them many times while hunting but he did not know what they were called.

We took some pictures and had them printed — no digital images for us.

Andy said that the people at the environmental center could tell us what these were.

So, after school, photos in hand, we walked in the door and met Susan Gallagher, who immediately told us they are called Indian pipes and they were not mushrooms at all.

She further explained that they are a flowering plant and belong in the blueberry family. I want to say we almost did not believe her, but she would not have told us this if it weren’t true.

She also told us that Indian pipe is found in dark, shady woods with rich, moist soil and plenty of decaying leaves and other plant matter.

Because they don’t have chlorophyll and don’t use photosynthesis, these plants are able to grow in places that do not get a lot of sunlight like our very shady backyard.

Indian pipe plants are small, perennial wildflowers between 4-9 inches tall with a single stem.

The flower of the Indian pipe has 4-5 thin white petals. The petals and leaves of this plant are almost translucent and I can see where the name for this ghostly plant growing in the dark forest comes from.

The white, bell-shaped flower, which appears between late spring and fall, is pollinated by small bumblebees. Once the bloom is pollinated, the “bell” creates a seed capsule that eventually releases tiny seeds into the wind.

The Latin name of the most common species, Monotropa uniflora, means “once turned single flower.”

Other names this plant is known are ghost pipe, ghost plant, corpse plant and ice plant. Although there is no Indian pipe fungus, Indian pipe is a parasitic plant that survives by borrowing nutrients from trees and decaying plant matter. This process allows the plant to survive.

Native Americans used these plants to treat eye infections and other ailments. Reportedly, Indian pipe plant is edible and tastes something like asparagus. Yet, eating the plant is not recommended, as it may be mildly toxic. Carbon County Environmental Education Center does not endorse eating any wild plants unless you have spoken to an expert first!

Although the plant is interesting, it is best enjoyed in its natural environment. Indian pipe turns dark brown to black when it is picked, so the best thing is to bring along a camera and get some great images of this plant and leave it where you found it.

It’s not often that you can tell your friends and family you captured a ghost — that is a ghostly plant.