Although some wildflowers are notoriously difficult to identify, one native that will cause no trouble for the woodland wanderer is Spotted or Striped Wintergreen, Chimaphila maculata--one of several plants commonly called "Pipsissewa." This plant of dry, acidic soils may reach its densest distribution in the Carolina Piedmont, but also is found in the Coastal Plain and mountain regions. Here at Hilton Pond Center, it grows in heavy shade beneath both hardwoods and pines.

Spotted Wintergreen is a "subshrub" on forest floors, reaching a height of perhaps nine inches. For most of the year, it is identifiable by thick waxy leaves with prominent whitish midribs (below right). In spring, the older dark blue-green foliage is succeeded by a whorl of younger leaves that are much paler. By early summer, the plant sends up a red stalk that bears one to three white or pinkish nodding flowers that are lightly fragrant (photos above and below).

After fertilization, blossoms of Spotted Wintergreen turn upward 180º and develop brown capsules that often persist into the next flowering season. These capsules bear small seeds that seem to germinate especially well after wildfires that occurred commonly across the plant's natural range from Canada south throughout much of the eastern U.S. Spotted Wintergreen also reproduces by underground runners, which accounts for the fact that plants are often found growing in clusters. Spotted Wintergreen is considered rare in New England and endangered in Ontario. Curiously, there is a disjunct population in Arizona, and recently the plant has been found in Mexico and the Pacific slope of Costa Rica.

Spotted Wintergreen is in the Pyrolaceae (Wintergreen Family), although some authorities place it in the Heath Family (Ericaceae). Across its range, the plant goes by a variety of common names, including Striped Prince's Pine, Dragon's Tongue, and Rheumatism Root. Its genus, Chimaphila, comes from Greek words meaning "winter" and "loving," referring to the plant's evergreen nature. The Creek Indians called it "pipsisikweu"--which means "breaks into small pieces"-- after the supposed ability to break down gallstones and kidney stones. Dried leaves of Spotted Wintergreen are aromatic and slightly astringent, and the plant has been employed as a tonic and diuretic. Native Americans used its leaf tea to treat rheumatism and stomach problems, and crushed leaves were applied as a poultice to sores and wounds.

Although Spotted Wintergreen--and another Pipsissewa, Chimaphila umbellata--are sometimes used to flavor candy and root beer, we recommend this increasingly rare plant never be collected. At Hilton Pond Center, we carefully protect each trailside colony from footfall or accidental cutting, and enthusiastically remove Japanese Honeysuckle that might otherwise crowd it out.

As extra incentive to let Spotted Evergreen grow unmolested, it's worth knowing that some folks are sensitive to the oils of the plant and have a dermatological response. So now when you go to the woods, look at it, identify it with confidence, but just don't touch the foliage.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird--1
Carolina Chickadee--3*
Eastern Phoebe--1
American Goldfinch--2
Indigo Bunting--1
Northern Cardinal--2
Gray Catbird--1
Great Crested Flycatcher--1
House Finch--9*
Carolina Wren--2*
Red-bellied Woodpecker--1*
Brown Thrasher--1

* = At least one Recent Fledgling

WEEKLY BANDING TOTAL
(8-14 June 2001)
12 species
25 individuals

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