Practical
Plants

Chimaphila umbellata

Pipsissewa

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
0.35 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

The leaves are nibbled[5], brewed into a tea or used as a flavouring in root beer[6]. They have a delicious scent and flavour. An extract of the leaves is used to flavour candy and soft drinks[5][6]. In Mexico the herb is used in the preparation of 'navaitai', an alcoholic beverage produced from sprouted maize[6]. A tea can be made from an infusion of the stems and roots[3][5][10].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Pipsissewa was much used by many tribes of native North American Indians to induce sweating and treat fevers, including typhus[15][16]. The plant contains hydroquinones which have a pronounced disinfectant effect within the urinary tract and modern day herbalism mainly employs the plant to treat urinary problems such as cystitis and urethritis[15]. The whole plant is alterative, antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and tonic[17][19][2][9][18][4][11][8][12]. An infusion is used in the treatment of various problems related to the urinary system, it is also prescribed for more serious conditions such as kidney stones and gonorrhoea[15]. A decoction is very efficacious in the treatment of skin diseases[17]. Used externally, the fresh leaves are rubefacient and internally they are of great use in cardiac and kidney diseases, chronic rheumatism and scrofula[17][13]. Only the leaves are officinal, though the whole plant is often used[17]. The plant is loaded with the biologically active compounds arbutin, sitosterol and ursolic acid[12]. Arbutin hydrolyzes to the toxic urinary antiseptic hydroquinone[12]. The plant contains glycosides and an essential oil that are used as an astringent and tonic[10]. The plant is harvested when in flower, and the leaves on their own can be harvested during the growing season. They are dried for later use[13]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[19]. It is used in the treatment of inflammations of the urinary system[19].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Disinfectant
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

The plant's stoloniferous root system, and dwarf spreading habit make it a god ground cover, though it is a difficult plant to establish and grow well[14]. The plant is used in perfumery because of its delicate scent[19].

Product or use
Essential

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
N. Europe, N. America, E. Asia.
Habitat
Dry coniferous woods in Europe[19]. Moist woods, particularly coniferous stands, and along mountain streams from the lower hills to about 2,500 metres in Western N. America[10].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - this is very difficult to germinate, see the notes above in cultivation details. It is best sown in a shady area of the greenhouse on moist sphagnum peat as soon as it is ripe. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division. Rather difficult because the plant is very sensitive to root disturbance. It is best attempted in the spring as the plant comes into growth[7]. Cuttings of softwood, June in a frame. Use some soil from around an established plant[2].

Cultivation

Requires a light moist but well-drained lime-free soil and shade from direct sunlight[1]. This species is difficult to propagate and grow in cultivation, mainly because it has certain mycorrhizal associations in the wild and these are necessary if the plant is to thrive[7]. It is best to use some soil collected from around an established plant when sowing seed or planting out into a new position[7]. The plant has wide-spreading fibrous feeding roots and will often die or fail to increase in size if these are disturbed. The flowers have a sweet but refreshing perfume[14].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2

  3. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

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  9. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  10. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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  12. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  14. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  15. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

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  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  19. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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