A high intensity discharge (HID) lamp (10) includes a starting gas (14), a vaporizable fill (16), and only one electrode (18) sealed within a light transmissive envelope (12). The one electrode (18) produces a high intensity discharge during operation of the lamp (10) and is connected to an inlead (48,60) that extends outside the sealed envelope (12). A ground (24) for electric field lines emanating from the electrode (18) during operation of the lamp (10) is outside the envelope (12). The ground (24) may be a reflector for the lamp (10) that has an electrically conductive surface (26). The high intensity discharge is initiated by applying high frequency power to the inlead (48,60).