Pipsissewa, also known as Striped or Spotted Wintergreen, is a small evergreen plant with whorls of 2-3 dark green leaves having light colored mid-veins borne mainly near the base of the stem. It bears 2-5 nodding white to pink, waxy flowers in June that mature into dry brown capsules later in the year. It is in bloom along the Oak-Hickory and Lost Chestnut trails beginning in early June. The evergreen leaves can be found on the forest floor throughout the year. This species is widely distributed from the north central and eastern U.S. and adjacent Canada south to Florida and Mississippi. A closely related species, Chimaphila umbellata (also known as Pipsissewa), does not have a light colored mid-vein and has a more northern and western distribution.

The common name Pipsissewa is derived from the use of this herb by Native Americans and early settlers to treat kidney stones. It is touted by herbalists to have a variety of medicinal uses and has been used as flavoring for rootbeer and candy. Hunters have also found Pipsissewa as stomach contents in grouse during winter months, and it may be used as food by other birds and wildlife.

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