The Monotropa uniflora, also known as the ghost pipe, is spotted in Jingning She autonomous county, in Lishui. [Photo/lsnews.com.cn]

A rare kind of wildflower – called the Monotropa uniflora, or ghost pipe – was recently spotted in the Caoyutang Forest Park in Jingning She autonomous county, in Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province.

Experts said the rare plant has high environmental requirements and local ecological protection efforts appear to have helped.

The white herbaceous perennial plant, with a straight stem and pendant or downwardly pointed flower, grows up to about 10 centimeters in height.

Unlike ordinary plants, it has no chlorophyll, so it has no photosynthesis process for growth. Instead, it grows in moist, shaded forests by absorbing nutrients provided by rotting leaves.

The plant can be found in Japan, India, Southeast Asia, North America and many parts of China. It is beautiful but fragile and will quickly wither and blacken once picked.