waplummer, they arent parasitic. They live off of fungus and some stuff found in good (duff) soil.
NOT parasitic.

here's a couple of links

http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/monotropaunif.html

http://dawson.nu/indian-pipes.html

My 2 cents,

Paula

-http://dawson.nu/indian-pipes.html

""Some botanists believe that the roots work in symbiotic conjunction with certain soil fungi to supplement its diet with food from live tree roots, which would make the plant a parasite as well as a saprophyte."

I've READ (and NO that doesnt make me an expert!) that it survives on dead stuff from the soil. I CAN tell you that the ones I had, came barerooted and managed to survive for a number of weeks before it got real hot and dry and died back. That would indicate TO ME that since they weren't sucking the life out of a tree via it's roots that my good black humus rich soil was doing the trick for it.

That's just *MY* 2 cents!
Paula

Looks identical to the one in the states

PF :)

I relocated Monotropa uniflora Indian Pipe from one location on my land to another with excellent results.

Here in the Adirondacks I see the Indian Pipes growing in many woodland locations most often in a fairly moist conditions and dappled shade locations.

When transplanting the plants I dig the Indian Pipes with as much of the soil intact around the root systems of the plants as possible. I find using a garden towel and digging out about 4 to 6 inches away from the main stem of the plants and about 4 to 6 inches deep works well. I then use a small garden sholve to remove the clump. I transplant the plants into a well prepared site. I usually dig a planting hole about 8 inches deep and 1 ft sq. I add a great deal of 'well' decayed roots of pine (is very moisture retaining, rich brown color, smells great and is very soft) and/or well decayed beech or maple wood/roots as well as a little leaf mould. I add this to the bottom of the planting hole and I place the clump of Indian Pipe in the planting hole and I add more of the decayed wood/root mixed with soil from the planting hole and fill in around the clump until the plant is planted at its previous level. I always apply a mulch or transplant some moss over the area and I water well the first time after transplanting.

I also have transplanted mushrooms using the same methods and in my experience works very well. :)