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Common Name: Wintergreen

General Information

Pyrola minor is a Evergreen Perennial up to 0.08 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, N. Asia to Japan. North N. America

Habitat

Coniferous woods, moors, damp rock ledges and dunes, on acid and calcareous soils in full sun or deep shade[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.08 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist sandy woodland soil[, ] in a cool position with partial shade[, , ].
This is a very ornamental[] but difficult plant to grow. It requires a mycorrhizal relationship in the soil and therefore needs to be grown initially in soil collected from around an established plant[]. It is also very difficult from seed as well as being intolerant of root disturbance which makes division difficult[].
The flowers have a soft almond scent[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. No more details are given.
Leaves - raw[, ].

Medicinal

The plant is antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic and tonic[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - the only information we have on this species is that it is difficult from seed and germinates infrequently[]. We would suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Sow it into soil collected from around an established plant, only just covering the seed, and put the pot in a shady part of a cold frame. Pot up any young seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, once again using soil from around an established plant. Plant out into their permanent positions when the plants are large enough. You should not need to use soil from around an established plant to do this since the soil in the pot will contain the necessary micorrhiza.
Division with great care in the spring[, ]. Pot up the divisions using some soil from around an established plant, grow on in a lightly shaded part of a greenhouse or frame and do not plant out until the plants are growing away vigorously[].