Question: Hello, I was hoping to get a more positive ID on a plant I've seen growing in patches throughout the …
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Question
Hello, I was hoping to get a more positive ID on a plant I've seen growing in patches throughout the woods, south of Concord, NH. I've always been lead to believe it is pipsissewa. Just found a patch in a deeply wooded area along the Merrimack river. I found that most descriptions online don't match up 100%. Not much teeth on the sides of the leaves and a purple-red on their undersides. Are there any look-a-likes I should know about?
Answer
Dear lordarchery, your plant is Chimaphila maculata (spotted prince's-pine), a relative of the more common Chimaphila umbellata (noble prince's-pine, also called pipsissewa). This plant is relatively common in southern New England but becomes uncommon and rare as one moves north into ME and NH. Best wishes.
