Monotropa uniflora

Indian-Pipe

Middle Stem Leaf

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

Note that the leaves are reduced to scales.

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.

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Uniflora: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 
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flower solitary at summit of stem; NOT [flowers several in a raceme]

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

 

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Monotropa: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus.
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stem NOT with an enlarged, bulb-like base

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stem NOT sticky

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

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petals distinct; NOT [petals united]

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anthers awnless; NOT [anthers with deflexed awns]

 

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Monotropaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this family. 
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herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

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

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

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corolla regular; NOT [corolla 2-lipped]

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stamens 6-10; NOT [stamens 4]