Chimaphila umbellata aka Pipsissewa

Chimaphila umbellata is a small evergreen subshrub, a low, woody plant. It belongs to the heath family, Ericaceae. Its native range spans the northern temperate and subarctic zones. It reaches south to Guatemala. Kew places it in the temperate biome. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Its names include prince's pine, ground holly, and wintergreen. The RHS also calls it love in winter. These names refer to a low plant, not a tree.

Virginia Tech gives its height as 0.25–0.67 feet [0.08–0.20 metres]. The leaves seem to form whorls, or rings, around the stems. Yet they are alternate, growing in turn rather than pairs. Each leaf has a thick blade and a narrow, lance-shaped outline. Sharp teeth line the edges. The top is glossy and dark green. The underside is green too. Leaves measure about 0.13–0.25 feet [0.04–0.08 metres] long. Their size makes them stand out on this small plant. Thin stems range from green to reddish brown. The evergreen leaves stay on after the flowers fade.

Flowers bloom in summer at the tip of a terminal spike. This is a flower stalk at the stem's end. They form a small group, not a row along the whole stem. Each flower has five petals. It measures about 0.04 feet [0.013 metres] across. The petals are white, though some flowers may be pink. The pale blooms stand out against the dark leaves below. The fruit is a dry, brown capsule. These seed cases stay on the plant through winter. This keeps the fruit on view for a longer time. The leaves, flowers, and long-lasting capsules help people identify the plant.

Plants For A Future lists woodland gardens as suitable sites. It also lists dappled shade and shady edges, but not deep shade. Such sites suit a small plant beneath gaps in tree cover. The same species entry lists ground cover as a garden use. Its low height and evergreen leaves are its main traits for this role. The entry also lists it with scented plants.

The supplied facts for this species give no firm soil or watering guide. They give no hardiness rating or facts on pests and diseases. The food uses, claims of health uses, and safety warnings concern a named subspecies. They do not show that these traits hold for the whole species.