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Pipsissewa
Chimaphila umbellata var. acuta
16.78, -92.64
Field Notes
Description:
This is one of the strangest flowers I've ever seen and the first time I've ever seen it. The 5 petals are pink and white and it has a large green center which is waxy hard. There is a ball of liquid on the tops of these green centers which is kind of sticky. The petals are stiff, but not hard, whereas the center of the flower is hard. They hang downwards from their stems (maybe because they are kind of heavy). There were tiny dance flies feeding in these flowers (see Spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/2032526002/fullscreen).
This is a native flower of upper elevation forest floors in mixed conifer forests.
Habitat:
Growing wild on the forest floor, about 5 km up Mt. Huitepec, west of San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. About 2,800 meters in mixed Pine-Oak Forest.
Notes:
Interestingly, the flowers and buds hang downwards, while the fruit sits bolt upright on the stem. See reference pictures.
http://wnmu.edu/academic/nspages/gilaflora/chimaphila_umbellata.html
http://www.jeffpippen.com/plants/chimaphila.htm
http://bodygeek.ro/verdeata-iernii-chimaphila-umbellata-era-folosita-de…
http://www.foundinthefells.com/Second_half/
http://www.imagejuicy.com/images/plants/c/chimaphila/1/
http://www.wildflowersbydonna.com
http://www.imagejuicy.com/images/plants/c/chimaphila/2/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ericaceae
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroloideae
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimaphila
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