Image courtesy Dr. S. L. Timme
(Copyright material)

Indian Pipes are upright perennials that lack chlorophill. These are known as saprophyte plants.

The leaves are alternate on the stem, reduced to scales.

The flowers are at the tip of the stem, solitary, symmetrical in form and bisexual in nature. The form is bell-shaped and drooping. There are no sepals, five white petals.

Fruit is a capsule.

M. hypopithys is similar, but the entire plant is a combination of white and pink to red or yellowish and lavender.