Ghost Plants
I stopped at a historic marker for two fallen War of 1812 soldiers yesterday. I’ve driven by that sign for years only giving it a glancing thought, never stopping but always thinking someday I will.
The marker is on County Route 24 (St. Lawrence, NY) in the Town of Pierrepont and located between the hamlet of Pierrepont and Brown’s Bridge. It is closer to Brown’s Bridge than Pierrepont and not far off Rt. 56.
A ‘trail’ leads about 200 feet into the woods to a grave site marker where these two veterans lie in rest. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this site is maintained and not forgotten.
The location is lonely and quiet promoting a sense of thoughtful reflection. Two soldiers left behind, one unknown and the other with a surname well known in the north country were put to rest here. But there is something unsettling about the place and I had a feeling of unrest. I sensed a presence, a longing for lost family and friends.
Something was whispering to me ‘Here I am’ in the silence.
I don’t believe in ghosts. The whispering came from my own mind. Or did it? This spot had the most Ghost / Corpse plants I’ve ever seen. The pale white translucent plants crowded the area near the grave then suddenly stopped as I moved away.
Monotropa uniflora
But these were not the only weird plants that had sprouted. Another ghost like plant outnumbered the Indian Pipes.
I’ve looked but had to give up trying to identify these plants. I searched and searched and did find one photo of these on line but the photographer had them mis-identified as Indian Pipe – monotropa uniflora. Look close at the flower structure and it’s easy to tell they are not.
It’s a bit eerie how two ‘Ghost’ plants in this spot reflect the soldiers buried here. One easily identified while the other remains Unknown.
It’s odd that I started my woodland wanderings at another location looking for ‘Dead Man’s Fingers’ and somehow ended up here. Although the two locations are not that far apart I somehow was detoured away from my next planned stop in a totally different direction.
The two ‘group’ photos are linked to a larger size (1024 x 768) suitable for desktop wallpaper.
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August 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I understand they raise their heads after pollination and turn brown in a few days.
Donna
August 2nd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Is it possible it’s a more mature stage of the same plant? Have a look at this photo, which seems to have the pipes and your more upright ghosts in the same bunch:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/96/240555147_8601035e3a.jpg
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:25 am
It must be that the soldiers wanted to be remembered right now. Now they are famous throughout the world. Not many stranger things have happened than the odd coincidences in your story.
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:06 am
It was great that you stopped. Look at those unusual plants. Geez you always find the most unusual things.
It is also nice to see a grave that is taken care of and honored. I am sure their are ghosts there. Maybe the unknown soldier is trying to tell you who he is. (-: Thanks for sharing!
August 5th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Interesting post. And again I find those ghosts plants eerily beautiful. A lot of odd coincidences. Some might say too many.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Very cool abou the grave site–I love history like that, out in nature, somethign menaingful onmultiple levels. In Nebraska it’s wagon wheel ruts from the Oregon Trail. Woo hoo.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:18 am
WOW WOW WOW !
You have taken some awesome pictures Mr. WiseA** !!
Now they can be official Halloween plants as well .. right ?? LOL
Joy