Pyrola asarifolia (Pink Pyrola)
Also known as: | |
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Genus: | Pyrola |
Family: | Ericaceae (Heath) |
Life cycle: | perennial |
Origin: | native |
Habitat: | part shade, shade; moist woods, bogs |
Bloom season: | June - July |
Plant height: | 6 to 12 inches |
Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FACU MW: FACW NCNE: FACW |
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): | ![]() |
National distribution (click map to enlarge): | ![]() |
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Detailed Information
Flower:
Raceme of 7 to 15 flowers on slender stalks at the top of the plant. Flowers are ½ to ¾ inch across with 5 round petals, pink or white with pink to pinkish purple edging, the edges often curled down. A cluster of stamens with dark pink to red tips is hidden under the upper petals. The style is light green, curved down and out below the lower petals like an elephant's trunk.
Leaves and stem:
Leaves are basal, 1 to 1½ inches long, round to kidney shaped, often wider than long, the blade typically shorter than the leaf stalk. The tip may have slight point. The upper surface is very shiny. A few scale like leaves may be present on lower part of the flowering stem.
Notes:
Pink pyrola is about as prevalant as Shinleaf (Pyrola elliptica) though its range is more westward and Shinleaf extends further south. Typically Pink Pyrola is found on moister sites than the other pyrolas, along lake shores and wet meadow wood lines. It can't be easily confused with any other pyrola since it is the only pink pyrola out there. When not flowering, the shiny round to kidney-shaped leaves should be distinctive enough for a positive ID. All of the Pyrolas have been move from family Pyrolaceae (Wintergreen) to Ericaceae (Heath).
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More photos
Photos by K. Chayka taken at Savanna Portage State Park. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Aitkin County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2011-10-03 20:56:56
We own 20 acres in Scambler Township and these sweet little plants are all over. I have some incredible photos. More true pink than your pics, and loaded with waxy flowers. What a delight!
on: 2012-06-15 18:56:35
Along spur from Quarry Trail to the Hell's Gate rapids
on: 2012-06-23 09:33:07
In bloom on June 14 2012.
on: 2016-06-10 09:52:20
Happy to have identified this patch at the edge of the woods.
on: 2017-07-05 14:41:28
Spotted 8-10 plants with lots of flowers. At first I thought it was just a color variation of shinleaf, so glad to ID it on your site as a separate species. Thanks!
on: 2019-07-05 10:41:45
Beautiful first time seeing it thanks to this site for helping me identify
on: 2019-07-16 12:40:25
So pretty - several plants at the end of our road