Pinesap

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Pinesap

Pinesap

Pinesap

Pinesap

Pinesap

Pinesap

Morphology

Stem

Erect, unbranched, often clustered, sparsely to densely fine-pubescent, pinkish-red to yellowish-brown, turning black when dry.

Leaves

Alternate, leaves reduced to scales, upper scales becoming bracts; scales sessile, partially clasping stem, oblanceolate, 1/6 to 2/5 inch long, 1/12 to 1/5 inch wide, sparsely to densely fine-hairy; margins irregular.

Inflorescence

Racemes, 1-10-flowered, initially drooping, becoming erect in fruit, terminal

Flower

Short-stalked, red to yellowish-brown; sepals 5 on terminal flower, 4 on lower lateral flowers, strap-shaped, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, 1/25 to 1/8 inch wide, erect; corolla tubular, petals 5 on terminal flowers, 4 on lateral flowers, 1/3 to 3/5 inch long; tip rounded; base bag-shaped, inner face pubescent; stamens 8-10 (twice the number of petals), in 2 whorls, nearly equaling petals; filament slender; stigma cap-like.

Fruit

Capsule, erect, spherical to egg-shaped, 1/5 to 1/3 inch long, 4-5-celled, surface with shallow, longitudinal, brown, style persistent; seeds many, minute, light brown.

Ecology

Habitat

Rich, moist or dry, upland woods; usually in acidic soil; associated with decaying vegetation.

Distribution

Douglas and Cherokee counties in Kansas

Practical Information

Uses

Pinesap was used as a love potion by Native Americans in British Columbia.

Additional Notes