Abstract
Monotropa uniflora is a parasitic plant found in the Adirondacksthat can be found growing individually or in clusters. We could not find many scientific studies that examined relationships between abiotic factors and growth patterns of M. uniflora, so we decided to test it ourselves. Our hypothesis states that as canopy cover increases, soil moisture increases, and pH decreases M. uniflora will grow in larger clusters. Other abiotic factors (soil temperature and leaf litter thickness) that could affect M. uniflora growth patterns were also sampled. Ten different M. uniflora populations (experimental units) were chosen. In each population, we sampled ten different individuals (sample units). We selected certain individuals of the population that would result in a broad diversity of stem numbers. Regression analyses will be conducted on every variable tested within each population. Relationships between all measured variables and growth patterns of M. uniflora in our ten populations will be discussed. The data will be pooled in order to analyze overall trends. We hope to find other factors that influence M. uniflora growth other than the type of mycorrhizae it is parasitizing.