Foliage Fantasy

Day 208: The forest floor (not necessarily flat or horizonally aligned) is a vast canvas of textures. At a single glance, the eye takes in a wealth of features, so many that our minds resist classifying them individually. But closer investigation reveals fascinating microtopographies and ecologies: mats of moss harbouring moisture for the roots of vascular plants which in turn provide the shade and protection the moss requires, tiny open spaces inviting seeds to fall to hidden soil, niches in which insects may hide or, relatively speaking, go on great adventures, travelling for dozens of bug-miles on a single plant. How vast is the universe when you are a beetle the size of a pencil-point? What do insects feel beneath their toes as they explore the minute scales which form every fractal iteration of a step-moss frond? What differences do they detect when patrolling a leathery leaf as opposed to one covered in fine hairs invisible to the naked human eye? How tired is a snail after it has climbed an 18" log, plagued by anxiety (or not) for what may lie at the summit? Do these tiny beings of the forest know that they are part of the much larger landscape of world, planet and galaxy? Of course not. And neither, my friends, can we know our place in the universe with any greater certainty than does the beetle or the snail.

Pipsissewa Profile

Day 251: Two species of Pipsissewa may be found in Mount Rainier National Park. By far the most common is Chimaphila umbellata, also known as Prince's Pine. The second, Chimaphila menziesii, may be found growing interspersed among specimens of its cousin, and a few points of identification will help you separate them. The leaves of C. umbellata grow in distinct whorls and have fewer "teeth" along their edges. C. menziesii's leaves are toothed from tip to base and are alternate. C. umbellata bears more flowers per stalk, as opposed to C. menziesii's two or three. Shorter on both blossoms and foliage, it is understandable how C. menziesii became known as "Little Prince's Pine," although the "pine" part of the name continues to baffle me. The suggested etymologies do not seem to be supported in any authoritative work.

Pipsissewa was important as a "medicine plant" among the local indigenous cultures, cited as a remedy for kidney ailments and as a poultice for sore muscles. In fact, these specimens were photographed in the designated Tribal Use Area in the Longmire Stewardship Campground, a space set aside by the National Park Service for the people of the Nisqually Nation where they may gather the plants for use in ceremonies and in traditional medicine.

Pipsissewa Pursuit

Day 294: Chimaphila umbellata goes by two common names, Pipsissewa and prince's pine. The first is a Native American (Cree) word meaning "breaks into small pieces" (a reference to the fragile petals), but the second is a puzzlement. Who was the prince (lower case p, mind you), and what association did he make between this plant and pines? Although I've seen some speculation in various sources, I have never found believable etymological support for the peculiar nomenclature. Suffice to say that I call it Pipsissewa in daily reference, and hasten to explain that it is evergeen and to some degree mycoheterotrophic (i.e., it establishes a symbiotic relationship with specific fungi and is dependent upon them for survival).

As most of my readers will recall, I am particularly captivated by the mycoheterotrophs, and anyone who knows me even slightly can attest to my fascination with words; thus, the prince's pine has entered the ranks of my favorite forest flowers, its exquisitely beautiful waxy flowers a bonus to its other intrigues.