Formerly placed in a separate family, monotropaceae, monotropa hypopitys is now considered part of the ericaceae. All plant parts lack chlorophyll; nutrients are obtained only from decaying leaf matter.
Common name:
Yellow bird's-nest
Family:
Scientific name:
Monotropa hypopitys
Main flower color:
Range:
Scattered locations in England and Wales
Height:
Up to 20 cm
Habitat:
Deep shade in beech and pine woodland, and damp hollows in sand dunes
Flowers:
Pendent, bell-shaped, whitish yellow to pale pink, in a compact cluster at the top of the thick stem. Flowers are formed of four or five sepals, and the same number of petals, similarly-sized, and curving out at the tips. At the centre are eight or ten stamens and one pistil, topped by a yellow stigma
Leaves:
Small, scale-like, upwards-pointing
Season:
June to September
Rarity:
★★★★★
