Spotted Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ky-MAF-ih-luh mak-yuh-LAY-tuh
- Description
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Stripped Wintergreen a native, evergreen, rhizomatous wildflower in the shinleaf family and is found in dry woods in the eastern US. The white midrib stripe on the dark green leaf is an identifying characteristic. During the summer fragrant white to pinkish flowers appear in small nodding clusters. It is considered endangered in some states.
This plant needs very well-drained, preferably acidic sandy soils, in shady conditions. Use in a dry woodland setting as a ground cover or under shrubs to provide color.
The foliage is considered toxic to sheep and is avoided by deer.
- 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)
- 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 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
