Wintergreens
Pyrola sp.
Wintergreens: https://marylandbiodiversity.org/species/24119
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Source: Wikipedia

For other uses of "Pirola", see Pirola (disambiguation).

Pyrola
Pyrola asarifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Subfamily: Pyroloideae
Genus: Pyrola
L.
Type species
Pyrola rotundifolia L.[1]
Species

See here

Synonyms[2]
  • Actinocyclus Klotzsch
  • Amelia Alef.
  • Braxilia Raf.
  • Erxlebenia Opiz
  • Thelaia Alef.

Pyrola /ˈpɪrələ/[3] is a genus of plants in the family Ericaceae native to the region spanning from the subarctic and temperate northern hemisphere to Guatemala and Sumatra.[2]

Description

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Vegetative characteristics

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Pyrola rotundifolia foliage

Pyrola are erect,[4] chlorophyllous or achlorophyllous,[5] up to 35–44 cm tall herbs or subshrubs with single, glabrous stems.[4] The long, branched, slender rootstock bears fine roots.[6]

Generative characteristics

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Detail of Pyrola elliptica flower
Detail of Pyrola chlorantha fruit

The many-flowered,[6] racemose inflorescence with 1–4 scape bracts bears pedicellate, nodding, campanulate,[4] radially symmetric[5] or slightly zygomorphic flowers.[4] The pendulous, loculicidal capsule fruit bears approximately 1000 winged, spindle-shaped seeds.[5]

Cytology

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The chromosome count is n = 23, 46.[6][4]

Taxonomy

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It was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.[7][2] The lectotype is Pyrola rotundifolia L.[1]

Species

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It has 42 accepted species:[2]

Pharmacology

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Pyrola elliptica, commonly known as "shinleaf", contains a drug related to aspirin, and the leaves have been used to treat bruises. Its common name derives from its use in shin casting.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Pyrola L. Tropicos. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://www.tropicos.org/name/40021377
  2. ^ a b c d Pyrola L. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30000769-2
  3. ^ "pyrola". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  4. ^ a b c d e Luteyn, J. L., & Pedraza-Peñalosa, P. (n.d.). PYROLA. New York Botanical Garden. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://www.nybg.org/bsci/res/lut2/pyrola.html
  5. ^ a b c Pyrola in Flora of North America @ efloras.org. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2026, from http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=127777
  6. ^ a b c Pyrola in Flora of China @ efloras.org. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2026, from http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=127777
  7. ^ Linné, Carl von, & Salvius, Lars. (1753). Caroli Linnaei ... Species plantarum :exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas... (Vol. 1, p. 396). Impensis Laurentii Salvii. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/358415
  8. ^ Niering, William A.; Olmstead, Nancy C. (1985) [1979]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. Knopf. p. 723. ISBN 0-394-50432-1.
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