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| Monotropsis odorata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Monotropsis |
| Species: | M. odorata
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| Binomial name | |
| Monotropsis odorata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Monotropsis odorata, commonly known as 'Appalachian pigmy pipes, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Monotropsis, part of heath family.
Description
[edit]Appalachian pigmy pipes is a small herbaceous plant with an above ground portion consisting entirely of inflorescences that grow to just 3 to 10 centimeters (1 to 4 in) in height.[3] The inflorescence is a raceme, a group of flowers attached to a stem without branches, with flowers nods when emerging from the soil, begin to face upwards when blooming, and become fully upright when fruiting. Its stem is maroon to dark-purple in color and is covered in 14 to 66 bracts. It bracts are lavender colored when fresh and paper-like and tan when mature.[4]
Their flowers are noticeably fragrant and this is used by observers to locate the plants. The odor can be reminiscent of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, or violets.[3]
Taxonomy
[edit]Monotropsis odorata was scientifically described and named in 1817 by Lewis David de Schweinitz. It is classified as part of the genus Monotropsis in the family Ericaceae.[2] This genus is quite small, containing just one other species, Monotropsis reynoldsiae.[5] It has no accepted varieties, but it has 7 synonyms according to Plants of the World Online.[2]
| Name | Year | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptophila pudica W.Wolf | 1922 | species | = het. |
| Cryptophila pudica f. knapkei W.Wolf | 1922 | form | = het. |
| Cryptophila pudica f. maxima W.Wolf | 1922 | form | = het. |
| Monotropsis lehmaniae Burnham | 1906 | species | = het. |
| Monotropsis odorata var. lehmaniae (Burnham) H.E.Ahles | 1964 | variety | = het. |
| Schweinitzia caroliniana G.Don | 1834 | species | = het. |
| Schweinitzia odorata (Schwein.) Raf. | 1818 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym ; = heterotypic synonym | |||
Names
[edit]Monotropsis odorata is known by the common names Appalachian pigmy pipes and Carolina beechdrops.[3]
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ NatureServe 2025.
- ^ a b c d POWO 2025b.
- ^ a b c Weakley & SE Flora Team 2025.
- ^ Rose & Freudenstein 2014, p. 589.
- ^ POWO 2025a.
Sources
[edit]- Journals
- Web sources
- NatureServe (5 September 2025). "Monotropsis odorata". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- POWO (2025). "Monotropsis Schwein. ex Elliott". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- POWO (2025). "Monotropsis odorata Schwein". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- Weakley, A.S.; SE Flora Team (2025). "Monotropsis odorata (Appalachian Pigmy Pipes)". Flora of the Southeastern United States. North Carolina Botanical Garden. Retrieved 20 September 2025.