Etymology: Mitchella: for Dr. John Mitchell, Virginian and early correspondent of Linnaeus, and excellent botanist
Plants: erect, perennial, 4"-12" tall, evergreen forb; stems rooting from the nodes forming large mats
Leaves: round to oval, stalked, opposite, dark green with a white, center stripe
Flowers: white, 4-parted, 1/3"-1/2" long, funnel-shaped, hairy throat, sometimes with 3, 5 or 6 lobes; inflorescence mostly a terminal cluster of 2 flowers; blooms June-July
Fruits: red, twin berry with 8 seeded
Habitat: dry; woods, forests
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6, Wetland Indicator = FACU+ USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Purple Sage - Ethnobotanical Information: Detailed usage, preparation, and other helpful information Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"