Ghost Pipe
Latin name : Monotropa uniflora
Hul'qumi'num - no listed name: sp’eq’um (flower) & pun’un (plant)
Description: Ghost pipes are a very unique and special plant. They were once classified as fungi as they have no chlorophyll (giving them their pale colour) and thus do not photosynthesize for themselves. They have since been classified as plants, simply parasitizing their energy through mycorrhizal connections with photosynthesizing plants (i.e. conifers). Ghost pipes emerge from the forest as single stems, with a single nodding bell-shaped flower at its end reaching up to 12 inches tall. Along their stem to the flower are small transparent leaves that resemble scales. The entirety of this plant is white or slightly transparent. You will find them often growing in clusters in the shade of the conifer forest floors, although occasionally they will stand alone. As they get older the plant dries and darkens to a brown-black colour, their nodding necks straightening out to face their flowers to the sky.
Harvest and sustainability: Ghost pipes are perennials, with a very sensitive root system. To help preserve their root system, the stems must be cut at, or a bit below ground level. Furthermore, only harvest a few stems from each cluster to minimize disturbance. It is important to be gentle when harvesting to ensure the roots remain undisturbed and more flowers come in the following years. This is important because this plant is highly sensitive and takes longer to establish. You will likely find Ghost pipes through the summer, June-September. At first, you will see the tops of their nodding necks peeking through the surface of the soil, but this is too early. You want to harvest when they have grown tall from the stems out of the soil, but still remain fully white. When they begin to darken they have become too old for harvest. Cut stems should be put in a bag onto themselves and used as soon as possible.
Uses: Ghost pipes are best known for having a sedative effect on both physical and emotional trauma. The stalks/flowers can be dried and used as mildly sedative tea, or a stronger tincture can be made from fresh stalks.
Tincture: Fill a jar approximately halfway with ghost pipes, and add 100-proof vodka, making sure the plant is fully covered by ~1 inch of alcohol. Close the lid and leave the jar for at least 4 weeks in a cool dark place. Strain the tincture when the infusion is done. The tincture makes a very beautiful lavender-colored tincture that may fade to brown. It can also be very strong, so it is important to start small. I recommend starting with 3 drops of tincture before having more.
Sean Donahue writes an in-depth view of the use and experience of ghost pipes. I would recommend reading: https://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/sites/default/files/donahue_sean_-_ghost_pipe-_a_little_known_nervine.pdf
