Milky mystery sprouts.
Silky, blossom-tipped stems flare,
adorn forest floor.
Inspired by RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #84 Milk&Smooth
I took this photo a few summers ago while hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. I assumed it was a fungus, but discovered it is a heterotroph — a plant with no chlorophyll.
The lack of need for sunshine allows them to grow in heavy undergrowth and thick, dark wooded areas. With no manner of producing their own food, they are dependent on a host plant to produce the nutrients they need.
Ghost Plant or Indian Pipe, the Names are as Fascinating as the Plant!
by Angela Carson (Bookerc1) October 26, 2015
Weaving Gold 
Wow, I learned something new today! Great picture!
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That picture brought together some of my greatest loves: nature, research, and writing. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Now I am wondering where you are. I live in the toe knuckles of the Smokey Mountains, at least that’s the name I use. I can see the Smokies from here. Yes, I know it was while you were there and took a picture. 🙂
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I *think* it was on a trail off of the Big Creek campground in the northeastern part of the park. Beautiful park. Gorgeous mountains. The land there speaks to me. At the moment, I live in Michigan. Are you south of the mountains?
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Yep. I am like less than an hour from being in serious mountains. My parents used to take me up there every weekend. Bribed me with comic books. 😀
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Lucky! I want to live in the mountains.
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[…] READ Natalia Erehnah (Author): Ghost Plant | Weaving Gold. Okay, great Haiku and an amazing learning lesson. Also nice to see where she took the photograph. […]
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What an unusual plant, and a great idea for the haiku 🙂
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Thank you! I was scrolling through my photos and it seemed to match the challenge words.
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It was perfect 🙂
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Wonderful poetic words to describe that interesting plant. What a find! Loved your info story about it.
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Thank you! It was fun to revisit a wonderful walk with the photo and haiku.
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I love the vivid description. Well done!!! ❤
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Thank you! Who knew the prompts would be educational? 😉
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I know. They are sure fun. You never know what strikes your fancy! ❤
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Fantastic image and what a haiku to go with it.
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Thanks! I enjoyed the process.
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Milky mystery sprouts––indeed! Nice haiku and very interesting. I have never seen anything like it and I probably would have thought it a fungus too if I had come across it. Very cool. 🙂
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I’m learning through writing. 🙂
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