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Yellow Bird's-nest

Hypopitys monotropa

Last reviewed: September 2026

Yellow Bird's-nest (Hypopitys monotropa)
Photo: (c) Mount Rainier National Park, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Yellow Bird's-nest (Hypopitys monotropa) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 40 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast RangePuget LowlandMarine West Coast ForestNorthwestern Forested MountainsSouthern RockiesNorth American DesertsArizona/New Mexico MountainsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontNorthern ForestsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyEastern Temperate ForestsCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMadrean ArchipelagoAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Yellow bird's-nest is an unusual native wildflower that lacks chlorophyll and appears as pale yellow or white stems topped with drooping, waxy flowers. This parasitic plant emerges from forest floors in summer, drawing nutrients from tree roots through fungal connections rather than photosynthesis.

In an HOA neighborhood

Yellow Bird's-nest takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Ghostly pale appearance looks alien and unintentional
  • Extremely difficult to establish and maintain
  • May not survive transplanting or cultivation

Wildlife value

This plant provides limited direct wildlife value as it has few known pollinators and its specialized growing requirements make it uncommon in typical garden settings.

Common questions

How much sun does Yellow Bird's-nest need?
Yellow Bird's-nest grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Yellow Bird's-nest bloom?
Yellow Bird's-nest blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Yellow Bird's-nest native?
Yellow Bird's-nest (Hypopitys monotropa) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 40 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Yellow Bird's-nest HOA-friendly?
Yellow Bird's-nest takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Yellow Bird's-nest? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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