Pipsissewa
Chimaphila umbellata
- Native to:
- Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Krym, Kuril Is., Mexico, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States
iNaturalist: © kokanee (iNaturalist #3046538)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Chimaphila
- Species:
- Chimaphila umbellata
- USDA Symbol:
- CHUM
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Subshrub
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Exelis pyrolaria, Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rhizomes following low-intensity fire. Often found in fire-maintained coniferous forests.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers shaded woodland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are tiny and require mycorrhizal associations for successful establishment. Germination is often erratic and difficult in cultivation.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months * pour boiling water over milled sphagnum moss, sow seeds, enclose in plastic bag