About Monotropsis odorata Schwein. ex Elliott
Monotropsis odorata Schwein. ex Elliott, commonly called Appalachian pigmy pipes, is a small herbaceous plant. Its only above-ground structure is entirely made up of inflorescences, which reach a height of just 3 to 10 centimeters (1 to 4 inches). The inflorescence is a raceme, meaning it is a group of flowers attached to an unbranched stem. When the inflorescence first emerges from the soil, the flowers nod downward; they turn to face upward as they open, and become fully upright once fruiting begins. Its stem is maroon to dark-purple in color and covered by 14 to 66 bracts. When fresh, the bracts are lavender-colored, paper-like in texture, and they turn tan as they mature. Its flowers have a noticeable strong fragrance, which observers often use to locate the plants. The scent can be reminiscent of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, or violets.
