Chimaphila umbellata (L.) W.P.C. Barton
prince's pine
Ericaceae (Crowberry family)
(Previously in Pyrolaceae)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Ian Gardiner     (Photo ID #24472)

Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

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

Species Information

General:
Perennial, slightly woody herb from a rhizome; stems stout, erect or nearly so, often branched, 10-30 cm tall.
Leaves:
Generally all stem leaves, usually 3-5 per whorl, leathery, evergreen, oblanceolate, 2-7 cm long, 0.5-2.5 cm wide, sharply toothed, tips abruptly pointed, bases tapered; stalks 3-8 mm long.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of 3 to 10 nodding flowers in terminal umbel-like cluster, flower stem minutely- and glandular-hairy; flower stalks 4-10 cm long, glandular-hairy; bracts narrowly egg-shaped, deciduous; petals 5, distinct, 4-7 mm long, pinkish to somewhat rose, waxy; sepals 5, distinct, 1-2 mm long, margins jagged-toothed; ovaries superior; styles in depressed centre of ovary; stamens 10, anthers with terminal pores on tubes, the filament bases widened and swollen, only hairy on margins.
Fruits:
Capsules, nearly globe-shaped, 5-7 mm wide.

Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

USDA Species Characteristics

Flower Colour:
White
Blooming Period:
Late Spring
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present over the Summer
Source:  The USDA

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Chimaphila umbellata

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)
 972 0 2140
Slope Gradient (%)
 25 0 235

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

 201 0 360
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric] 		3 0 7
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
 C
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
 6196
Modal BEC Zone Class
 ICH

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

 BWBS(10), CDF(9), CWH(587), ESSF(444), ICH(2581), IDF(775), MH(5), MS(757), PP(9), SBPS(60), SBS(700), SWB(1)

Habitat and Range

Mesic to dry forests in the montane zone; common in S BC, infrequent northward; N to SE AK, E to C AB and SK, scattered to James Bay, ON, and S to CA, NM, CO.

Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

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