Practical
Plants

Pyrola elliptica

Waxflower Shinleaf

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
0.2 m
Spread
0.3 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.

The leaves have analgesic properties and were used as a poultice on bruised shins and other sores and wounds[5][6][9]. A tea made from the whole plant was used to treat epileptic fits in babies[6][9]. A decoction of the whole plant has been used as eye drops to treat sore eyes, sties and inflamed eyelids[9]. A tea made from the leaves was used as a gargle for sore throats and cankers in the mouth[6][9]. A tea made from the roots is tonic[6].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Environment

Range
Northern N. America - Newfoundland to Alaska and south to Virginia and Nebraska.
Habitat
Rich, mainly dry woods[6][7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
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]. The flowers have a delicate sweet perfume[8]. 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

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  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

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  6. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

  8. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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