Pipsissewa Chimaphila maculata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ky-MAF-ih-luh mak-yuh-LAY-tuh
- Description
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Striped wintergreen is a native, evergreen, rhizomatous wildflower in the heather family (Ericaceae) and is found in dry woods in the eastern United States, Canada and Mexico.
This plant needs very well-drained, preferably acidic, sandy soils in shady conditions.
During the summer, fragrant white to pinkish flowers appear on 4 to 10-inch stems in small nodding clusters. The white midrib stripe on the dark green leaf is an identifying characteristic. It is considered endangered in some states.
Use striped wintergreen in a dry woodland setting as a ground cover, for naturalizing or under shrubs to provide color.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chimaphila
- Species:
- maculata
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used its leaf tea to treat rheumatism and stomach problems, and crushed leaves were applied as a poultice to sores and wounds
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East Canada to Central America
- 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 , WV Canada: ON , QC
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer resistant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Very Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- seed capsules are about 1/3 inch across and dark brown at maturity;
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1 inch long nodding, fragrant, waxy, white or pinkish flowers in clusters of 2-5 with 5 petals that have small scattered brown spots. Blooms June-August.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Evergreen 1-3 inch long and 1/4- 1 inch wide lance-shaped to oval leaves are leathery and dark green with a white stripe along the midvein. The underside is pale green and the margins have widely spaced teeth. There are two pairs of smaller leaves at the base and a whorl of 3 larger leaves below the flower.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stout reddish-brown stems are semi-woody.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
