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Chimaphila maculata
Chimaphila maculata (L.) Pursh
Striped Prince's Pine, Spotted Wintergreen, Pipsissewa, Spotted Pipsissewa, Ratsbane, Rheumatism Root, Striped Wintergreen
Pyrolaceae (Shinleaf Family)
Synonym(s): Chimaphila maculata var. dasystemma
USDA Symbol: CHMA3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Nodding, fragrant, waxy, white or pinkish flowers are in small clusters at the top of a stem with whorled, evergreen leaves, mottled with white.
This is a conspicuous plant in both winter and summer because of its white and green mottled leaves. It appears to increase both vegetatively and by seedling reproduction following light wildfires. A slightly taller relative, Pipsissewa (C. umbellata), has shiny, dark green leaves that lack the mottling. The genus name is from the Greek cheima ("winter") and philein ("to love").
Many authorities show this genus to now belong in the Ericaceae family.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Subshrub
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Rhizomatous stems up to about 20 inches long. Flowering stems up to about 8 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WVCanada: ON , QC
Native Distribution: Southern Ontario to southern New Hampshire; south to Georgia; west to Alabama, Tennessee, northeastern Illinois, and Michigan.
Native Habitat: Dry woods.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Groundcover to reduce erosion for shady area in New York
May 05, 2009
We live on a lake with gravelly and clay soils, lots of wind and little sun. I am looking for a native ground cover that will help reduce erosion over some of the steep slopes facing south (under shad...
view the full question and answer
Removing and replacing juniper bushes
June 20, 2008
Hi! I'm pulling up juniper bushes. (just don't like it)
I'm getting down to the roots now on one side and I'm having a hard time getting them up. Any recommendations. They are near my drive...
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.3 - Butterfly Gardens, Director\'s Report, Proper Care Gives Staying Power to Cut Fl...Additional resources
USDA: Find Chimaphila maculata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Chimaphila maculata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Chimaphila maculata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-03Research By: TWC Staff