This is called a Ghost Pipe or an Indian Pipe. While the wildflower grows in most of the United States (except the Southwest), sightings are rare and each plant blooms for just one week annually. The other 51 weeks each year this mysterious plant lives completely underground. Unlike most plants, it contains no chlorophyll, giving it a “ghostly” translucent image and its name.
The plant is sometimes completely waxy white, but often has black flecks or pale pink coloration.
The one pictured was found in Black Mountain, North Carolina
