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