Indian Pipes aka Ghost Flowers, Ghost Plant, or Corpse Plant

Well I was out taking a walk through the forest near our ve, when I looked down and noticed some strange white nubs emerging from the ground. Memories washed over me, as it has been over 20 years since I have seen Indian Pipes! I was ecstatic to say the least and so had to run for the camera. 

So I gathered up the children and started off on an adventure. They were quite curious and I was happy to share a bit of a lesson with them - starting with lesson one DO NOT EAT THESE! We make sure to bring that up as a first topic when out gathering or hunting for herbs. Unless you know 100% what it is and Mom or Dad agrees...it doesn't enter your mouth.

It takes a very special relationship for Indian Pipes to grow, as they are a parasitic plant that does not produce chlorophyl and so cannot produce its own food. It will have its roots tap into the mycelia of a fungus. Then it is able to take nutrients from the fungus. The fungus also has its mycelia attached to the roots of a tree [mycorrihizal relationship - where the tree and fungus share nutrients with one another]. The Indian Pipes do not share anything in the relationship and so therefore are considered parasitic, though they do not cause any damage to the fungus or tree.

It serves as food for a variety of insects as it flowers and spreads its seeds. Once picked or after the have gone to seed they turn black very quickly. The presence of Indian Pipes is a good sign of very rich forests! [That means our relationship and stewardship with the forest is working!!!]

[[The following information is shared for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.]]

There are various medicinal properties for this plant as well. It can be used as an antispasmodic, as a febrifuge, as a pain reliever,  for inflammation of the eyes and skin, bunions, and warts,  as a nervine, and a sedative. It is also known to possess hallucinogenic properties and was used for vision questing. It is known to be TOXIC as well. 

Motivation and Stewardship

What truly motivates the life we strive to live? There is without a doubt a deep spiritual answer to this question. In fact there are many answers to this question, none of less value than the others. There is one answer though, that stands forth every single day. One answer that is there when we wake up in the morning, follows us throughout the day and through the night. Always there unspoken or not, by some it would seem forgotten. That answer is our children.

They are the progeny we will leave to inherit the Earth. They are the ones who will continue our journey and in turn prepare it for our descendants. As parents we work hard to provide for our children, to offer them  the best of opportunities, to meet their wants and needs, so that they can grow to become happy, healthy, and strong young adults. Every action we start, for good or ill, plays an important role in forming the mind and realities of our children. I think sometimes this can be forgotten, as many lessons are taught through the perceptions of your actions. They are always watching, listening,and absorbing the lessons of life. It is essential we live in a manner that we would hope they will emulate and give them the basis to make sound and honorable decisions in their own lives when the time comes.

We are all stewards of the Earth, not masters. It is our duty to live in harmony and strive to maintain that healthy balance, for their sake. When I see the children out picking flowers for mom, and being sure to only take one and leave the rest as they found them, or my daughter rescuing an abandoned baby mouse or tadpoles from a drying puddle, or my son picking up litter off the street simply because it is there - I know they are learning these lessons well.

"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." --Native American Proverb