Most of the Pipsissewa flowers that we saw had bloomed some time ago.

Now the plants are ornamented with a colorful berry.

The name Pipsissewa is derived from the Native American name pipsiskeweu which means "it breaks into small pieces”

The Pipsissewa leaves have very little scent until they are rubbed to release a pleasant but mildly "puckery" odor.
Pipsissewa leaves are used as a flavoring in root beer production, and in candy.

Pipsissewa are evergreen plants. The leaves are shiny, bright green, and toothed. They are arranged in opposite pairs. Leaves have a shallowly toothed margin. The teeth have fine hairs at their ends. The flowers are white or pink

Although Pipsissewa has green leaves year-round, it receives a significant portion of its nutrition from fungi in the soil (that is, it is a partial myco-heterotroph). (from Wikipedia)

There are many legends and stories about the medical uses of Pipsissewa:
According to an Appalachian herbalist Pipsissewa has been used "ever since time" for treating rheumatism, and for kidney and liver disorders. It is said that some people still use Pipsissewa for its’ diuretic, tonic, and astringent properties and for ailments from skin eruptions to cancer and chronic kidney disease. (from: www.frostburg.edu)
My comment: If these legends are true, we would not need Obamacare.

There were still a few Pipsissewa flowers visible

Here are the leaves of the Pipsissewa

Note that the leaves have points on the edges.
There are small hairs protruding from these points

Here is what the flowers looked like a month ago

Image from Wikipedia under a creative commons license