While hiking between the gorge and Erwin’s View Overlooks along the Linville Falls Trail I spotted a patch of small white wildflowers that I’d never seen before. So of course – I had to stop and photograph them. They turned out to be Spotted Wintergreen (chimaphila maculata). Also known as spotted pipsissewa or striped prince’s pine, striped wintergreen is a member of the heath (ericaceae) family. Some sources list it as a member of the wintergreen (pyrolaceae) family.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Spotted wintergreen grows to about 10″ tall in dry woods. The plants I found were no more than 4″ tall. The small white flowers bloom from June through August. The leaves of the spotted wintergreen are very distinctive. They are dark green with a white striping created by the veins.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Spotted wintergreen is native to North America. It is native to all U.S. states east of the Mississippi River, plus Illinois and Arizona. It is also native to the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec. It is hardy from USDA Zone 8b to 5a.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Spotted wintergreen has long been used for medicinal purposes. It has historically been used as a diuretic. It was also used to treat rheumatism and stomach ailments. Even though the leaves can cause redness and blisters, they were used externally on wounds and sours. It has also been used to flavor medicines, candy and root beer. Information about medical uses is provided for information only – and is not a recommendation to use it medically.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
If you’d like to learn more about spotted wintergreen – some online sites with additional information include
USDA Plant Profile for Chimaphila maculata
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Plant Database