We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Pyrola rotundifolia - L.

Common Name Round-Leaved Wintergreen
Family Pyrolaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Bogs, fens and woods, especially beech woods, often on limestone, and in dune slacks[187]. Avoids acid soils[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, N. and W. Asia. N. E. N. America.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Pyrola rotundifolia Round-Leaved Wintergreen


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:152_Pyrola_rotundifolia.jpg
Pyrola rotundifolia Round-Leaved Wintergreen
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:B.gliwa

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Pyrola rotundifolia is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic  Antiseptic  Antispasmodic  Astringent  Cardiotonic  Contraceptive  Diuretic  Epilepsy  
Ophthalmic  Skin  Tonic  Urinary

The leaves are antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiotonic, contraceptive, diuretic, poultice, sedative and tonic[4, 9, 46, 172, 176, 218, 222]. A decoction is used in the treatment of skin diseases, as a gargle and a wash for the eyes[4]. It is used internally in the treatment of epilepsy and other nervous afflictions[4]. The leaves are harvested in mid to late summer and can be used fresh or dried[9]. The plant contains arbutin, a proven diuretic and antibacterial agent that is used as a urinary antiseptic, this hydrolyzes in the body into the toxic hydroquinone[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Plants can be used as a ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[208]. They are somewhat slow to settle down though, and only form a good cover when they are growing luxuriantly[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist sandy woodland soil[111, 200] in a cool position with partial shade[1, 11, 200]. Requires a peaty or leafy but not very acid soil that remains moist in the summer[31, 187]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[187]. 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[200]. It is also very difficult from seed as well as being intolerant of root disturbance which makes division difficult[1]. The flowers have a delicious almond-like fragrance[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - the only information we have on this species is that it is difficult from seed and germinates infrequently[200]. 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, 111]. 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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Chimaphila maculataSpotted Wintergreen, Striped prince's pine, PipsissewaShrub0.3 6-7 SLMHSNM132
Chimaphila umbellataPipsissewaShrub0.4 4-8 SLMHFSM232
Moneses unifloraSingle DelightPerennial0.1 -  LMFSNM12 
Orthilia secundaSidebells WintergreenPerennial0.1 4-8  LMFSNM11 
Pterospora andromedeaWoodland Pinedrops 0.0 -  LMHSNM11 
Pyrola asarifoliaBog Wintergreen, Liverleaf wintergreen, Pink wintergreenPerennial0.3 4-8  LMFSNM013
Pyrola chloranthaGreen-Flowered WintergreenPerennial0.3 4-8  LMFSNM01 
Pyrola ellipticaWaxflower ShinleafPerennial0.2 3-7  LMFSNM02 
Pyrola minorWintergreen, Snowline wintergreenPerennial0.1 4-8  LMFSNM11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Larisa   Thu Aug 23 2007

I am studing medicinal herbs from the family of Pyrolaceae. And I am so much need any inforation about Pyrola, Chimaphyla species. Would you be so kind to help me somehow?I am a postgraduate in Russia

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Pyrola rotundifolia  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.