Chimaphila maculata aka Spotted Wintergreen

Chimaphila maculata stays green all year and lives for years. Its stems have some woody growth. Its common names are striped wintergreen and spotted wintergreen. It belongs to Ericaceae, the same plant family as blueberries. Its native range runs from southeastern Canada to Central America. It grows in dry woods and forests of broadleaf trees. Its leaves stay green through winter but lack a mint scent.

Garden plants reach about 0.5–1 foot [0.15–0.30 metres] tall. They spread about 0.5–0.75 foot [0.15–0.23 metres] wide. Other accounts report plants as short as 0.25 foot [0.08 metres]. Rhizomes, or stems below ground, help it form low patches. The thin, smooth stems are reddish brown and seldom branch. The firm leaves range from oval to lance-shaped. Their edges have sharp teeth, and their undersides are pale. White marks trace the main veins on dark blue-green leaves. Small leaves sit near the base. Larger leaves form rings, called whorls, above them.

The scented flowers open from June to August. They grow alone or in groups of two to five. Each bloom hangs from a short stalk near the stem's top. Five curved petals make each waxy flower. They are white or pale pink. Ten stamens ring a large green ovary at the centre. Bumblebees and other bees visit the blooms for nectar. Each bloom fades within two to three weeks. Round, ribbed capsules then form and turn dark brown. These dry fruits split open and release many tiny seeds. Wind carries the seeds away.

This plant suits shade, including light that passes through tree crowns. It needs acidic soil rich in organic matter. Light loam or sandy soil must drain well. Sources differ on how much moisture it needs. Some favour moist soil; others note dry sites. Its listed USDA hardiness range is zones 5–8. It needs little routine care but can be hard to establish. Its roots depend on links with soil fungi called mycorrhizal fungi. Seeds may struggle to sprout without those links. Disturbing its fibrous roots can stop growth or kill plants. Records list division as a way to grow more plants.

Striped wintergreen can cover soil beneath shrubs in woodland gardens. Its marked leaves add interest when it has no flowers. It has few reported pest or disease problems. Deer tend to avoid its leaves, which are rich in tannins. The leaves are toxic to sheep. Sources record people eating leaves and making leaf tea. They also record use in a Mexican maize drink. Indigenous peoples used leaf tea for rheumatism and stomach complaints. They put crushed leaves on wounds and sores. These records describe past uses. They do not prove these treatments are safe.