The evergreen leaves of this wildflower are distinctively mottled. During summer, clusters of fragrant, white to pinkish flowers nod atop reddish stalks arising from the foliage. This rhizomatous member of the family Ericaceae spreads slowly to form a groundcover, and it thrives in areas where other plants struggle to take hold. Ideal conditions include very well-drained, slightly acidic, sandy or rocky soils in shady conditions. It's sometimes found in richer woodland soils. 
 
Chimaphila is a genus composed of five species of evergreen, flowering plants native to the northern hemisphere. The genus name comes from the Greek words cheima, meaning "winter," and philos, meaning "to love." Striped wintergreen is also known as spotted wintergreen, striped prince's pine, spotted pipsissewa, and rheumatism root.
 
Propogate by dividing the root systems of older plants. Try to include some of the original soil, because it contains the appropriate mycorrhizal fungus to help the new plants flourish.
 
Native habitats include rocky or sandy upland woods and mixed woodlands. Use in a dry woodland setting as a ground cover or under shrubs to provide color. The foliage is considered toxic to sheep and is avoided by deer.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 6-9" tall and wide.
 
Prefers part to medium shade.
 
Prefers very well-drained; acidic; sandy, rocky, or average soils. Tolerates dry conditions. 
 
Blooms July-August with clusters of 2-5 waxy, 1" flowers with 5 petals bearing a scattering of brown spots. Ten  stamens surround a large, green, dome-shaped stigma. Fruits are dark brown seed capsules about 1/3" wide that contain many fine seeds. 
 
Lance-shaped to oval leaves are 1-3" long, leathery, and dark green with a white stripe along the midvein. The underside is pale green and the margins have widely spaced teeth. There are two pairs of smaller leaves at the base and a whorl of 3 larger leaves below the flower.
 
Stout, reddish-brown stems are semi woody. 
 
Wildlife Value:
Cross-pollinated by bumble bees. Honey bees visit for nectar. Deer tend to avoid browsing the plant.
 
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
Native Americans used a leaf tea to treat rheumatism and stomach problems. Crushed leaves were applied as a poultice to sores and wounds.
 
Some sources say the leaves may be eaten raw or brewed into teas. 
 
Resources:
Illinois Wildflowers: https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/str_wintergreen.html
 
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHMA3
 
North Carolina Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/chimaphila-maculata/
 
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimaphila