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Pyrola asarifolia
Pyrola asarifolia Michx.
Liverleaf Wintergreen, Pink Wintergreen, Pink Pyrola, Pink Shinleaf, Bog Wintergreen
Pyrolaceae (Shinleaf Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PYAS
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
A basal rosette of thick, roundish leaves, with petioles at least as long as the blade, subtends an 8-24 in., leafless flowering stalk. A little woodland plant with shiny, leathery leaves near base and 5-25 pink to reddish-pink flowers hanging in racemes at top. Leaves are leathery, glossy, dark green above and purplish beneath, with wavy edges. The waxy flowers are 1/2 in. broad.
Pyrola species are common woodland wildflowers. Sometimes they are leafless, in which case they are saprophytes, absorbing their nutrients from the rich soil humus. All such, regardless of their biological species, were once classified as P. aphylla, but leafless phases with pink flowers are probably P. asarifolia.
Many authorities show this genus to now belong in the Ericaceae family.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PinkBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , CO , IA , ID , IN , MA , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NH , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , UT , VT , WA , WI , WYCanada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Nf. to AK, s. to n. New England, c. & w. NY, n. IN, WI, ND, NM mts. & CA
Native Habitat: Damp, open, mossy forests & stream banks
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich, calcareous soil.
Propagation
Description: Dust-like seed is difficult to germinate but may produce plants if sown on sphagnum moss.Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native plants to stop pond bank erosion
June 04, 2008
I recently purchased a home with a small pond in which a nearby stream daylights. The former owner placed large field stone around the pond and the small stream; however, the area around the pond and...
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National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FAC | FACU | FACW | FACW | FACU |
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Pyrola asarifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Pyrola asarifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pyrola asarifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-03Research By: TWC Staff