Chimaphila umbellata (Umbellate Wintergreen or Pipsissewa) is a small perennial flowering plant found in dry woodlands, or sandy soils. It is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere.

It grows 10-35 cm tall, and has evergreen shiny, bright green, toothed leaves arranged in opposite pairs or whorls of 3-4 along the stem. The flowers are white or pink, produced in a small umbel of 4-8 together.

There are four subspecies:

• Chimaphila umbellata subsp. umbellata – Europe, Asia
• Chimaphila umbellata subsp. acuta – southwestern North America
• Chimaphila umbellata subsp. cisatlantica – northeastern North America
• Chimaphila umbellata subsp. occidentalis – northwestern North America

Uses

It is used as a flavoring in candy and soft drinks, particularly root beer.

"Pipsissewa" is a Cree name meaning "It-breaks-into-small-pieces". The name is also used for a character in the "Uncle Wiggly" books of Howard R. Garis.

References

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• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Chimaphila umbellata
• Flora of China: Chimaphila umbellata
• Flora Europaea: Chimaphila umbellata distribution

Ericaceae | Flora of Asia | Flora of Europe | Flora of North America