Shinleaf

Plant Info

Also known as:	Waxflower Shinleaf, Wild Lily-of-the-valley
Scientific name:	Pyrola elliptica
Family:	Wintergreen (Pyrolaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part sun, shade; moist woods
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	5 to 10 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flowers nod down in a spike-like raceme up to 5 inches long at the top of the plant. Individual flowers are about 1/3 inch across with 5 oval petals, orange-tipped stamen, and a long curving pistil. Petal color is waxy white, greenish white or yellowish green and there may be greenish veins on the petals. The bract has small triangular lobes and the flower stalk is tinged red. One plant has a single spike, though not all plants flower.

Leaves:

Leaves are in a basal rosette. Leaves are oval, up to 3 inches long and 2 inches wide, with a round tip and tapering slightly at the base. The leaf surface is dull green and there are barely noticeable teeth all around the edges. The leaf stem is as long as or shorter than the leaf blade.

Notes:

There are a few different members of the Wintergreen family that have similar flowers. Shinleaf is distinguished primarily by the dull leaves that are longer than wide and the short leaf stem.

More photos

• Shinleaf plants, the tallest about 10 inches

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN June-July 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much

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