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

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Ian Cumming     (Photo ID #6024)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Chimaphila umbellata subsp. occidentalis
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.

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.

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.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Chimaphila occidentalis
Chimaphila umbellata var. occidentalis (Rydb.) Blake