Help identify this flower

[Kath]

Spotted these in Maine along the AT on the slope of White Cap Mtn. in the 100 Mile Wilderness. The stems remind me of Indian Pipe, but I've never seen one with flowers before. They were all alone and I never saw any more like them. Anyone know what they are?

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2320662110103277482TRtZrf

 

[elvios lincoln]

Indian Pipe, pipe flower variety?

I will guess the "rare" pink form of an Indian Pipe flower. Check out this web site.

http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/indian-pipe-monotropa-uniflora/

 

[Daniel Eagan]

Nice pictures. Looks like a later stage of Indian pipe. From Wildflowers of the White Mountains: "At maturity the flower becomes erect and the whole plant turns black." National Audubon Society Field Guide: "autumn flowering one [is] characterized by red color."

Can also be lavender colored. They are beautiful in a creepy, Halloween-y sort of way.

More pictures:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotropa_uniflora

 

[elvios lincoln]

100 Mile Wilderness Photos

Hi,

I just looked at your 100 mile Wilderness photos. Was this part of a through hike? Are there really no re-supply points for 100 miles?

Nice Photos.

 

[Kath]

No, just the 100 miles. It's a great time of year to do the 100 miles, as you meet many north-bounders finishing up their AT journey. I really enjoyed talking to them. Lots of interesting stories. The only chance that I am aware of to re-supply is White House Landing, which is at about mile 70. They offer lodging and meals and stock a few very basic supplies. It's best to carry everything you need, unless you have someone willing to drive in for quite a ways on dirt logging roads to make a drop off for you. That would take a bit of careful coordinating.

 

[Bob Kittredge]

Kath,

I ran into one of these last fall and had the same reaction as you. "Looks sorta like indian pipe, but...

I also posted a picture her, and it was explained that this is the fruit of the flower we're familiar with.

 

[Kath]

Thanks all. I feel so lucky to have spotted them. I had to go thrash about a bit to get to them and I took about ten different shots of them while my partner patiently waited.
---Kath