Indian Pipe and Betty's Neck

While there are few historical resources at Betty's Neck to inform visitors of its rich past and deeply-rooted connection with local Native American history and culture, there is nonetheless a perhaps subtle reminder of the area's past in the small and delicate plant known as Indian Pipe which can be found at this time of year working its way through leaf litter on the forest floor. This is rather an unpleasant plant for its lack of chlorophyll, its waxy appearance, ashen color, clammy feel and the fact that it turns black soon after being picked. For this reason, its alternate name is corpse plant. It feeds off decayed vegetation on the forest floor. Nonetheless, its appearance does resemble the clay elbow pipes made by Native Americans for smoking tobacco and its name is a reminder of the original occupants of Betty's Neck.

Illustration:
Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) photographed at Betty's Neck by Michael J. Maddigan, July 10, 2009