Pyrola elliptica
shinleaf
Overview
Pyrola elliptica is a low evergreen perennial in the Ericaceae that grows from slender, spreading rhizomes, forming a basal rosette of leaves with flowering stems 5-10 inches (13-25 cm) tall. The leaves are elliptic to oval, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, dark green, glossy, and somewhat leathery, with the blade longer than its stalk. In summer a single leafless stalk rises above the rosette, carrying 4-15 nodding white to greenish-white flowers in an open raceme. Each flower is about 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) across, with five waxy petals and a long, curved, protruding style. The flowers are lightly fragrant and draw bees. Like many woodland Ericaceae, it depends on a partnership with soil fungi for part of its nutrition, which makes it very difficult to transplant or raise from seed away from established woodland soil. It occurs in dry to moist forest, in leaf litter and humus beneath conifers and hardwoods, and spreads slowly into loose colonies.
Native Range
Native to northern and eastern North America, from across Canada south through the northeastern and Great Lakes states and along the Appalachians. It grows in the humus and leaf litter of dry to moist coniferous, hardwood, and mixed forests.Suggested Uses
Grown mainly in established woodland and native plant gardens with intact forest soil, as a groundcover in shaded, acidic, humus-rich beds. It suits naturalistic shade plantings under conifers and hardwoods. It is unsuited to containers, open borders, or any site where the root zone and soil fungi are disturbed.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5" - 10"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open in summer, mainly June through August depending on latitude and elevation. A single raceme carries blooms that open from the base upward over two to four weeks. The dry seed capsules persist on the stalk into the following season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to greenish-whiteFoliage Description
dark green, glossyGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight