Ghosts of the Forest is Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Jennifer Hartswick, Celisse Henderson, Tony Markellis, and Ray Paczkowski.
The translucent white stems of Indian pipe seem completely out of place in New York City’s July woodlands — icy specters in the stuffy heat of the deep forest. Nearby, in open fields and meadows, myriad brilliantly colored wildflowers continue their ancient dance with pollinators. The Indian pipe’s evolution toward reproductive success is by no means simpler, but the species has certainly marched to the beat of a different drummer. Eschewing pigment altogether, colorlessness turns out to be remarkably, even miraculously, attention-getting.
Measuring anywhere from 3 to 9 inches, the Indian pipe is often found in dry woodlands where oaks or beeches predominate. Hikers often mistake Indian pipe for a mushroom or fungus of some sort; it is actually a blueberry relative without chlorophyll. Here, under the trees’ shady canopy, an additional layer of shrubs often prevents the little remaining sunlight from penetrating to the forest floor. Indian pipes’ adaptive strategy suits this habitat beautifully. No chlorophyll is necessary if there is little light, and without light, there is little competition.
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Until relatively recently, Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora) was considered a saprophyte, feeding on decomposing leaves, stems, roots and other forest debris. The reality is far more complex. Indian pipes insinuate themselves into the relationship between fungi and the tree roots with which they form symbiotic relationships. The Indian pipes deceive the fungi into entering a relationship, but in essence, the relationship is parasitic, and the carbohydrates (energy) produced by the tree are carried to the Monotropa with only a stopover in the mushrooms. The Indian pipe’s role in this interspecific ménage à trois is called myco-heterotrophy. Many plants, from orchids to ferns, enjoy the benefits of this evolutionary trickery.
Each Indian pipe stem is tipped with a single flower, which droops at an acute angle. The result is an adaptation to growing in situations where rain or other condensation might ruin valuable pollen or other flower parts. It is also a useful deterrent to unwelcome (nonpollinating) insects, who might prefer to feed on the pollen or the flower’s delicate reproductive parts.
Though Indian pipes are sometimes found individually as a single “pipe” emerging along a trailside, they are also observed pushing through the leaf litter in tight bunches, sometimes numbering 30 or 40 stems. I have even encountered woodland sites where the bunches themselves were numerous, and where counting the individuals seemed futile. This is rare, but generally speaking, if you find one, look for others nearby.
At this time of year, New York City woodlands are often insufferably hot by midday, but for the rare New Yorker with no early morning commitments, it is a good time to search. Fortunately, the oblique angle of late-day light also penetrates the canopy and heightens the contrast between the dark forest floor and the Arctic white flowers, so hunting in the evenings works almost as well.
If you’re looking to find this pale New Yorker, start your hunt in the dry woodlands of Queens, the Bronx or Staten Island.
It’s been quite some time since jam band figurehead Trey Anastasio put together an original musical ensemble a la his celebrated runs with Surrender to the Air and Oysterhead. Instead, the Phish co-founder has proven content this decade focusing primarily on his main gig and solo work, as well as a leading role in the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary shows.
Which is why Anastasio’s announcement today of a new endeavor entitled, Ghosts of the Forest, is so exciting. We have limited information on the project, but we do know that Anastasio will be accompanied by a number of familiar faces, including bassist Tony Markellis (of the Trey Anastasio Band) and drummer Jon Fishman (of Phish), as well as keyboardist Ray Paczkowski and vocalists Jennifer Hatswick and Cellise.
The band will make their live debut with a brief tour in April, which begins in Portland, Maine and travels around the East Coast before wrapping up with two nights at New York’s United Palace Theater. You can find those dates below, as well as hear a short snippet of new music via Anastasio’s Instagram.
Update: Ghosts of the Fire have added two California dates for the end of April.
![Ghosts Of The Forest Ghosts Of The Forest](https://thegreekberkeley.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/TreyAnastasio_19_1024-1-1024x576.jpg)
Ghosts of the Forest 2019 Tour Dates:
04/04 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre
04/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Opera
04/06 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem
04/09 – Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre
04/10 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum
04/12 – New York, NY @ United Palace Theatre
04/13 – New York, NY @ United Palace Theatre
04/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
04/20 – Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre
04/04 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre
04/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Opera
04/06 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem
04/09 – Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre
04/10 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum
04/12 – New York, NY @ United Palace Theatre
04/13 – New York, NY @ United Palace Theatre
04/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
04/20 – Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre
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