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Encyclopediapipsissewapipsissewa (pipsis'uwä) [key], any plant of the genus Chimaphila, perennial herbs of dry wooded regions in the Northern Hemisphere. The pipsissewas, closely related to the wintergreens, have thick, shiny leaves and pinkish or white flowers. C. umbellata is the common species of North America; its variety cisatlantica is the plant known as prince's pine in the Eastern states. Other varieties are found in the West and in Europe and Asia. Folia Chimaphilae, extracted from the leaves, is a tonic and diuretic used in the treatment of bladder problems. C. maculata is called spotted wintergreen. Pipsissewa is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Ericales, family Pyrolaceae. See heath, in botany. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. More on pipsissewa from Infoplease:
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