Synonyms: Sweet Pinesap.
Occurs in dry to mesic, Oak-Pine-Heath forests, ranging from Virginia and Delaware south to Alabama and Florida (Simmons, 2013, p. 11). Considered extirpated in Maryland except for one population in Calvert County and one in Carroll County. The Calvert County population is in decline (MD DNR, 2018). The Carroll County population was discovered in 2020.
Pygmy Pipes does not contain chlorophyll, so is not green and does not get its food through photosynthesis as most plants do. Pygmy Pipes is a mycoheterotroph, getting its food through parasitism upon fungi. These fungi derive their food via mycorrhizal associations with nearby tree roots.
Two-four inches tall, thus smaller than its relative, Pinesap. Flowers several, very fragrant.
As noted under "Status" above, considered nearly extirpated in Maryland. So small it may be hidden in leaf litter on forest floor.
There are 17 records in the project database.
| GA | AL | WA | FR | CL | MO | HO | BA | BC | HA | CE | PG | AA | CV | CH | SM | KE | QA | CN | TA | DO | WI | SO | WO |
