Pipsissewa is a small, semi-woody evergreen plant of dry, acidic forests across northern North America, producing nodding clusters of fragrant, waxy, pale-pink flowers in summer. Growing just 4–12 inches tall, it bears glossy, toothed, evergreen leaves that were historically used to brew a tea and flavor root beer and other beverages. Pipsissewa is mycoheterotrophic — it relies partly on soil fungi for nutrients rather than making all its own food through photosynthesis.
Best time to see a Pipsissewa
The best time to see a Pipsissewa is April–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 15,039 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Pipsissewa? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Pipsissewa sightings near you
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