pipsissewa

pipsissewa
/pip sis"euh weuh, -waw'/, n.
any evergreen plant of the genus Chimaphila, esp. C. umbellata, the leaves of which are used medicinally for their tonic, diuretic, and astringent properties. Also called prince's-pine.
[1780-90, Amer.; perh. < Eastern Abenaki kpi-pskwáhsawe lit., flower of the woods]

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▪ plant
      any evergreen, herbaceous plant of the genus Chimaphila, of the heath family (Ericaceae). C. umbellata, sometimes also called prince's pine, love-in-winter, and wintergreen, occurs in North America from Canada to Mexico and in Europe and Japan. C. maculata, sometimes called striped pipsissewa, rheumatism root, dragon's tongue, and spotted wintergreen, occurs in North America from Canada to the southern United States. The name pipsissewa derives from a Cree Indian word referring to the diuretic properties of the leaves when eaten.

      Pipsissewas are woodland plants with leathery leaves and five-petalled, fragrant, pink or white flowers that grow a few together at the end of the stems, which arise from underground rhizomes. Though difficult to cultivate, they are sometimes grown in gardens.

      C. maculata grows 10–25 cm (4–10 inches) tall; the stem is more or less prostrate. The lance-shaped leaves are 2.5–7.5 cm (1–3 inches) long and have white spots along the veins. The nodding flowers are about 2.5 cm across. C. umbellata grows 12–30 cm (5–12 inches) tall. The leaves are somewhat broader than those of C. maculata and are not spotted. The flowers are about 2 cm across and appear throughout the summer.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Pipsissewa — Pip*sis se*wa, n. [From American Indian.] (Bot.) A low evergreen plant ({Chimaphila umbellata}), with narrow, wedge lanceolate leaves, and an umbel of pretty nodding fragrant blossoms. It has been used in nephritic diseases. Called also {prince s …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pipsissewa — ☆ pipsissewa [pip sis′ə wə ] n. [< ? Abenaki kpi pskwáhsawe, lit., flower of the woods] any of a genus (Chimaphila) of North American evergreen plants of the heath family, with pink or white flowers and jagged, leathery leaves formerly used as …   English World dictionary

  • pipsissewa — skėtinė marenikė statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Erikinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, prieskoninis, vaistinis augalas (Chimaphila umbellata), paplitęs Europoje, Azijoje ir Šiaurės Amerikoje. Iš jo gaminami maisto priedai (kvėpikliai). atitikmenys …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • pipsissewa — noun Etymology: perhaps from Eastern Abenaki kpi pskwáhsawe, literally, flower of the woods Date: 1789 any of a genus (Chimaphila, especially C. umbellata) of evergreen herbs of the wintergreen family with astringent leaves used as a tonic and… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • pipsissewa — noun Any of several evergreen plants, of the genus Chimaphila, that have pale pink leaves; the princes pine …   Wiktionary

  • pipsissewa — pip·sis·se·wa pip sis ə .wȯ n any of a genus (Chimaphila, esp. C. umbellata) of evergreen herbs of the wintergreen family (Pyrolaceae) with astringent leaves used as a tonic and diuretic …   Medical dictionary

  • pipsissewa — n. evergreen plant whose leaves are used as a medicinal herb …   English contemporary dictionary

  • pipsissewa — pip·sis·se·wa …   English syllables

  • pipsissewa — pip•sis•se•wa [[t]pɪpˈsɪs ə wə, ˌwɔ[/t]] n. pl. was pln any of several evergreen plants of the genus Chimaphila, esp. C. umbellata, the leaves of which are used medicinally for their tonic, diuretic, and astringent properties • Etymology: 1780–90 …   From formal English to slang

  • pipsissewa — noun any of several plants of the genus Chimaphila • Syn: ↑prince s pine • Hypernyms: ↑herb, ↑herbaceous plant • Hyponyms: ↑love in winter, ↑western prince s pine, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

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