Rare Idaho Flower Is Named After Death, Causes Hallucinations

Most hikers know that contact with some plants while out in nature should be avoided.

A rare, unusual looking flower named after a deceased person might appear harmless visually, but if handled or consumed, can make someone ill and even cause hallucinations.

I make a habit to never eat anything grown in the wild, no matter what someone says I might be camping or hiking with.

The story of Chris McCandless (aka 'Alexander Supertramp'), as told in the film and book titled, Into the Wild, and how he succumbed to a poisonous plant alone in the Alaskan wilderness had such an impact on me that I don't take these sorts of risks in life.

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Rare Idaho Plant Called 'Ghost Flower' Can Trigger Hallucinations If Eaten

Coming across a Ghost Flower in Idaho, or 'Indian Pipe' or 'Corpse Flower', as they are also known, is a pretty cool thing. I'm pretty sure I've seen them in the Stanley Lake area. A YouTube video from earlier this year shows an Idaho hiker stumble upon one in a northern part of the panhandle.

READ MORE: Eating Tempting Wild Idaho Berry Can Cause Fatal Brain Reaction

The Ghost Flower doesn't grow close to trails. You're more likely to find them near water or near the base of trees, in shaded areas, according to unrulygardening.com. They tend to have drooping, white flowers with short stems that barely break through the soil.

The reason these flowers are poisonous is because they don't depend on water to grow, but instead, suck up bacteria from beneath the soil, according to Blind Pig & The Acorn.com; I guess you can say they are the vampires of the plant and flower kingdom.

Do not remove or attempt to eat one. Instead, admire them and move on. Attempts to grow them at home will not work either, due to the water issue.