Striped Wintergreen

Description:

Striped wintergreen is a small (10–25 cm tall), perennial evergreen herb. t has dark green, variegated leaves 2–7 cm in length, and 6–26 mm in width. The variegation of the leaves arises from the distinct white veins contrasted with the dark green of the leaf. The stems emerge from creeping rhizomes. The nearly round flowers, which appear in late July to early August, are found on top of tall stalks. They are white or pinkish and are insect pollinated. The flowers mature to small (6 to 8 mm in diameter) capsules bearing the seeds of the plant, which are dispersed by the wind.

Habitat:

It is native to eastern North America and Central America, from southern Quebec west to Illinois, and south to Florida and Panama. It can be found in sandy habitats, well-drained upland forests, oak-pine woods, and similar mesic habitats. It is very tolerant of acidic soil. This one was growing in a sandy spot underneath an oak tree in Edgefield County, SC.

Notes:

Other common names include striped prince's pine or rheumatism root.