Practical
Plants

Pyrola asarifolia

Bog Wintergreen

a perennial evergreen member of the Pyrola genus in the family Pyrolaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Pyrola
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.25 m
Spread
0.15 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This plant was considered to be an effective remedy in the treatment of rheumatism[5]. A decoction of the leaves, or the leaves and roots, has been used as an eyewash for sore eyes[8]. A decoction of the plant has been used to treat the coughing up of blood[8]. A decoction of the root has been used to treat liver complaints[8].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Hepatic
Product or use
Ophthalmic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be used as a ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[6]. They are somewhat slow to settle down though, and only form a good cover when they are growing luxuriantly[6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
N. America - Alaska to Newfoundland, south to New York, California and New Mexico.
Habitat
Wet soils of bogs, stream courses and around springs, mostly in shady areas and especially in coniferous woodlands, from the plains to around 2,700 metres in the mountains[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - the only information we have on this species is that it is difficult from seed and germinates infrequently[4]. We would suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Sow it into soil collected from around an established plant, only just covering the seed, and put the pot in a shady part of a cold frame. Pot up any young seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, once again using soil from around an established plant. Plant out into their permanent positions when the plants are large enough. You should not need to use soil from around an established plant to do this since the soil in the pot will contain the necessary micorrhiza. Division with great care in the spring[1][3]. Pot up the divisions using some soil from around an established plant, grow on in a lightly shaded part of a greenhouse or frame and do not plant out until the plants are growing away vigorously[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist sandy woodland soil[3][4] in a cool position with partial shade[1][2][4]. Requires a peaty or leafy acid soil that remains moist in the summer[4]. This is a very difficult plant to grow. It requires a mycorrhizal relationship in the soil and therefore needs to be grown initially in soil collected from around an established plant[4]. It is also very difficult from seed as well as being intolerant of root disturbance which makes division difficult[1]. This species is extremely rare and endangered in the wild[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  5. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  7. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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