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INDIAN
PIPE
(Monotropa uniflora)
fairy smoke, ghost flower, corpse plant
Description:
Unusual perennial plant, mass of dark, brittle, saprophytic roots
produce ivory white, waxy stems, 4-10 in., covered with scaly
bracts. Leaves are smooth, entire-margined, tapered. Stem, topped
by single nodding white pipe bowl-shaped flower, turn, black when
bruised. Fruit is a capsule. Warmer parts of North America in
dark, rich woodlands.
Medicinal:
Dried powdered root given to children for epilepsy, convulsions,
fainting spells, spasms and fevers, was used in place of opium
to relieve pain and induce sleep.
Indians mixed juice of pulverized plant with water for eye lotion.
Settlers also used fresh juice for many eye ailments.
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