Have you ever wondered how Ghost Pipes (Monotropa uniflora) get their ghostly complexion? In contrast to lush green plants of the forest, Ghost Pipes lack chlorophyll, which is a green pigment that’s essential for the conversion of sunlight to energy in photosynthesis. Instead, Ghost Pipes are parasitic; they feed off of neighboring fungi. This allows the plants to grow in dark environments. They are native to areas of North America, and can be found on Monhegan!

“Monotropa Uniflora.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Aug. 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotropa_uniflora.