Monotropa uniflora

Indian-Pipe

Flower Back in Ground

Lac des Isles in Meadow Lake Provincial Park
04-August-2008

Note that the flowers are initially reflexed but become erect as they mature.

Note that the key to the families in Budd's Flora requires flowers with two floral rings, but with the petals wholly or partly united forming a tube or bell.  In fact, the petals of this species are distinct.  The rest of the answers to the keys are listed below.

bullet

Uniflora: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 
bullet

flower solitary at summit of stem; NOT [flowers several in a raceme]

bullet

flowers 14-17 mm long; NOT [flowers less than 14 mm long]

 

bullet

Monotropa: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus.
bullet

stem NOT with an enlarged, bulb-like base

bullet

stem NOT sticky

bullet

flowers solitary or in a short raceme; NOT [raceme 1-3 dm long]

bullet

petals distinct; NOT [petals united]

bullet

anthers awnless; NOT [anthers with deflexed awns]

 

bullet

Monotropaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this family. 
bullet

herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

bullet

plants parasitic or saprophytic, without chlorophyll; NOT [plants green or with some chlorophyll]

bullet

plants growing out of soil or attached to roots of other plants; NOT [plants twining and attached to stems of other plants]

bullet

corolla regular; NOT [corolla 2-lipped]

bullet

stamens 6-10; NOT [stamens 4]