Ericaceae

Chimaphila menziesii

Menzies' Pipsissewa

Small, upright, evergreen plant with few leaves near ground. Lance-shaped to narrowly oval leaves are dull green, often with white central vein and pointed tips, usually toothed. Flowers 1–3, on nodding stems, waxy, fragrant. Petals white, cream, or light pink, reflexed back from large green ovary surrounded by yellow to brown stamens with hairy filaments. Grows in well-drained places in dense forests, rotting wood, leaf mold. Uncommon but found at low to high elevations. Pipsissewa is a Cree name meaning "it breaks into small pieces" in reference to the leaves, which are thought to help dissolve kidney stones.

• Rarity: Uncommon
• Flowering Time: All Spring
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 2--6 inches
• Habitat: West-Side Forest, East-Side Forest
• Found In: Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes