Practical
Plants

Pyrola minor

Wintergreen

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Pyrola
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.08 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Self

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit[9]. No more details are given. Leaves - raw[9][10].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Leaves

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 plant is antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic and tonic[8][5].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, N. Asia to Japan. North N. America
Habitat
Coniferous woods, moors, damp rock ledges and dunes, on acid and calcareous soils in full sun or deep shade[9][4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
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[6]. 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[6].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a moist sandy woodland soil[3][6] in a cool position with partial shade[1][2][6]. This is a very ornamental[1] but 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[6]. It is also very difficult from seed as well as being intolerant of root disturbance which makes division difficult[1]. The flowers have a soft almond scent[7].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  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. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  5. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

  9. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩

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