Monotropa uniflora

Here’s a spooky little plant for Halloween. It’s known as the ghost plant due to its white appearance. It contains none of the green stuff – chlorophyll – which is required for photosynthesis, hence its spectral appearance. In order to survive, it piggybacks onto fungi growing in the ground and through this parasitic activity thrives. A herbaceous perennial no taller than 30cm, it doesn’t need sunlight and flourishes in dark damp woodlands. It is mainly found in the United States and parts of Asia.