Chimaphila menziesii (R. Br. ex D. Don) Spreng.
Menzies' pipsissewa (little prince's pine)
Ericaceae (Crowberry family)
(Previously in Pyrolaceae)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Michael Wigle     (Photo ID #13684)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Chimaphila menziesii
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial, slightly woody herb from a rhizome; stems slender, erect or nearly so, simple or sparingly branched, 5-20 cm tall, smooth, reddish.
Leaves:
Generally all stem leaves, 1 to several per whorl, leathery, evergreen, lanceolate to elliptic, 2-6 cm long, toothed or entire, smooth, main veins somewhat white-bordered; stalks 5-8 mm long.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of 1 to 3 nodding flowers in terminal umbel-like cluster, flower stem more or less smooth to pimply; flower stalks 2-6 cm long; bracts widely egg-shaped, dry and translucent, usually persistent after flowering; petals 5, distinct, 5-7 mm long, white or pinkish, waxy, spreading, nearly circular, concave; sepals 5, distinct, rounded, margins jagged, about 5 mm long; ovaries superior; styles in depressed centre of ovary; stamens 10; filament bases widened and swollen, completely hairy.
Fruits:
Capsules, globe-shaped, 5 mm wide.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Chimaphila menziesii

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
465 0 1348
Slope Gradient (%)
31 0 100

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

212 0 360
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
3 1 7
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
C
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
416
Modal BEC Zone Class
CWH

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

CWH(400), ESSF(1), ICH(2), IDF(5), MH(7), SBS(1)

Habitat and Range

Mesic to dry forests in the lowland and montane zones; infrequent in SW BC, rare in SE BC; S to CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia