We saw some Indian Pipes blooming in our woods, so of course when we were at the Park we looked for them there.  And we saw several large patches.  

 

Monotropa uniflora is its botanical name, and it starts blooming in June, sometimes blooming into September.  

 

They are white throughout because they have NO chlorophyll, in their leaves, stems, or flowers.  Since they can't manufacture food from sunlight, they get all their nourishment from decayed vegetation in the soil.  Indian Pipes are not mushrooms, although their waxy appearance makes them look a little mushroomy.   And the environment in which they grow also seems a little mushroomy to me.  Nope, they are in the Wintergreen family of flowering plants.  Interesting!!!

 

They are also called "ghost flower" and "corpse plant."  

 

They are easy to spot even though they aren't very tall.  They are very white and ghostly.  Be on the lookout.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!