Shinleaf Pyrola elliptica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pyrola compacta
- Phonetic Spelling
- py-ROH-luh ee-LIP-tih-kuh
- Description
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Pyrola elliptica is an evergreen wildflower that produces unbranched, six to ten-inch stalks that each bear 3 to 21 flowers. The petals on the hanging/nodding flowers can be a waxy white, greenish-white or yellowish-green and may have greenish veins on the petals. The basal leaves grow at the bottom of the plant.
It can be found growing in mostly dry, sandy or loamy wooded areas and on shaded stream banks. It is rare in the mountains of NC.
Its common name, shinleaf, comes from the medicinal side of the plant. A drug similar to aspirin is produced by the plant. This drug has been reported to have analgesic properties and was used on bruised shins and other wounds. A plaster made from the leaves was called a shin plaster.
It can be a difficult plant to grow. The best growing condition would be to gather and use soil from an area where the plant is currently growing. Division would be another means of propagation, again using soil as mention above.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pyrola
- Species:
- elliptica
- Family:
- Ericacea
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada to U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AZ, CT, DC, DE, IA, ID IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY
- Wildlife Value:
- Insects pollinate this plant
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a flattened round capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, nodding, waxy, fragrant greenish white flowers with five petals; long curving pistils
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dull, evergreen, elliptical, rounded-end leaves up to 3 in. The blade is longer than petiole. The leaves cluster in a rosette at ground level.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The 6-10" stalk has red stemlets and green veins. The stalks are unbranched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
