Monotropa uniflora

Indian-Pipe

Flower Longitudinal Section

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

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]