Pipsissewa Herb (Chimaphila umbellata)

Chimaphila umbellata, or Pipsissewa herb, is a subshrub that returns each year from its roots. A subshrub is a small shrub or perennial plant that has a woody base. The Pipsissewa herb grows only a foot tall, and has green evergreen leaves. The USDA reports that as a plant, it is resistant to fire and grows slowly from rhizomes. A rhizome is a horizontal stem growing underground that has the ability to grow shoots as well as roots; another example of a rhizome is an iris. The plant has pretty little umbrel-shaped pink or white flowers that emerge in late spring and droop from the top of the stem. Chimaphila umbellata has the ability to use soil fungi as food, as well as receive nutrition through photosynthesis.