Moneses uniflora (One-flowered Pyrola)

Plant Info
Also known as: One-flowered Wintergreen, Single Delight
Genus:Moneses
Family:Ericaceae (Heath)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, shade; damp woods, bogs
Bloom season:June - August
Plant height:2 to 6 inches
Wetland Indicator Status:GP: FAC MW: FAC NCNE: FAC
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
National distribution (click map to enlarge):National distribution map

Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: 5-petals

[photo of flower] Single 5-petaled white flower, ½ to ¾ inch wide, typically nodding face down, on long smooth stalk with a small attending bract where the stalk hooks downward. Petals are egg-shaped with rounded tips and wavy edges; in the flower center is a large round green ovary with a stout style and enlarged 5 lobed stigma. 10 stout, hooked stamens with enlarged tips (anthers) surround the ovary; anthers have small narrowed pollen sacs.

Leaves: Leaf attachment: basal Leaf type: simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are basal, 1 to 3 opposite sets or in groups of 3, oval or nearly round, edges nearly smooth to finely wavy-toothed, 1/3 to ¾ inches long, the blade longer or as long as the leaf stalk. Leaves are dark green, thin with a dull waxy sheen.

Notes:

A commonly encountered favorite in cool damp northern woods and cedar/spruce bogs, One-flowered Pyrola appears in denser clusters but still requires getting down on your hands and knees to appreciate it delicate beauty.

Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓

Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest

  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land
  • Landscape Alternatives
  • ReWild Native Gardens
  • Out Back Nursery
  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!

More photos

Photos by K. Chayka taken at Pennington Bog SNA, Beltrami county. Photos by Peter M. Dziuk taken in Beltrami, Cass and Aitkin counties.

Comments

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

Posted by: Julie - Northome, MN
on: 2011-04-27 16:18:17

I found Pyrola on our property just south of Northome, MN, in a balsam bog.

Posted by: Ruth Anne - Cook County
on: 2011-07-25 17:51:20

This is one of the most charming flowers I've ever seen. It grows in damp places (near interrupted ferns and ginger patches) in the forest of Lake Superior near Hovland .... even with my aging knees, it absolutely demands that I get down on my hands and knees to enjoy its shy face.

Posted by: Linda - Lebanon Hills Park, Eagan
on: 2015-05-29 02:03:39

Such a dainty plant. There are several just off the Holland Lake trail (edge of thicket) in Lebanon Hills Park. (Only the white variety.)

Posted by: Jana - Lake County Demonstration Forest, north of Two Harbors, MN
on: 2015-06-13 15:38:37

Saw these June 12, 2015.

Posted by: Wanda - 10 miles north of Duluth, MN
on: 2016-06-14 10:12:03

This tiny plant occupies a very small space on one mossy decaying log, but it reappears each year with 5 to 7 intricate tiny blooms. It is blooming now, the second week of June.

Posted by: Jeanne - Itasca County, south of Northome
on: 2016-06-25 13:33:38

Found this dainty beauty growing on the decaying cedar slices we laid at the drip line of our Island Lake cabin roof. Laid on the duff covered ground to take a picture to submit for identification. So glad I did!

Posted by: karl - BWCA - Cherokee Lake
on: 2016-07-07 21:06:45

shady area on an island and along a portage path

Posted by: Kim R - Montgomery
on: 2017-06-22 16:53:49

Just passed a small patch of these on the portage from Gordon Lake to Cherokee Lake in the BWCAW. Only place I spotted them.

Posted by: Elaine E - Cook County, Cascade State Park.
on: 2017-06-28 08:31:34

I saw these in a shady area very near the trail. When I see the Linnaea and mossy areas, I look around for Pyrola and often see some nearby.

Posted by: Sara - Near Isabella
on: 2017-06-30 09:03:54

I found a patch of these near the parking lot of the Snake River entry point to the BWCA.

Posted by: Colleen - Devil Track Gorge/Lake Superior Hiking Trail
on: 2017-07-29 16:50:21

Saw them earlier this week in the pine forest on the way up Pincushion Mountain north of Grand Marais. My first time seeing Pyrola. Such sweet flowers.

Posted by: Catherine Winter - Park Point, Duluth
on: 2018-07-01 19:19:22

Saw a patch of these today near the end of the Park Point trail. They have a lovely scent, almost like mock orange.

Posted by: Kari H - Tettegouche State Park
on: 2018-07-05 17:45:05

Saw these on the trail to High Falls, first and only patch I've seen.

Posted by: Cathy L. - Lutsen
on: 2018-07-06 20:51:00

Saw these flowers today on SHT Leveaux section, between Tofte and Lutsen. So prettty.

Posted by: Arabella Anamika - Crane Lake
on: 2019-06-28 17:26:09

Found a few clusters of these on one of the Islands on Crane Like! Truly a magical find, especially for the younger kids I was watching who insisted they were fairy umbrellas.

Posted by: Sherrie Hood - North Arm Trail, headed toward Troll Bridge (Ely MN)
on: 2020-06-19 19:04:40

6-19-20 Just saw a small cluster on the North Arm Trail, headed toward Troll Bridge (Ely MN)

Post a comment

Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the spammers out. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission.

For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc.), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources.



(required)




Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota and neighboring states may not be posted because I’d like to keep the focus of this web site centered on Minnesota. Thanks for your understanding.