365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
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.
Labels:
Chimaphila umbellata,
etymology,
Longmire,
MORA,
mycoheterotroph,
Pipsissewa,
prince's pine
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Great shot!. Love to say the word Pipsissewa and this gave me a reason to say it again.
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