Common Name: Bog Wintergreen

General Information

Pyrola asarifolia is an evergreen perennial plant with an extensive, slender, branching rhizomatous rootstock. It forms basal rosettes of leaves at intervals along the rhizome and spreads to form a loose clump; the leafless flowering stems are around 15 - 40cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Widely spread throughout subarctic, subalpine and temperate regions of N. America and Asia

Habitat

Wet soils of bogs, stream courses and around springs, mostly in shady areas and especially in coniferous woodlands; from the plains to around 2,700 metres in the mountains[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pyrola asarifolia is a plant of cool, moist climates and is known to be very cold tolerant, tolerating temperatures falling as low as -40°c. It grows in areas where the growing season can be as short as 2 - 3 months[].
Prefers a moist sandy woodland soil[, ] in a cool position with partial shade[, , ], though it is tolerant of very heavy shade[]. Requires a peaty or leafy acid soil that remains moist in the summer[]. Soil pH is typically below 5.0[].
Pyrola species can be very difficult plants to grow. They require a specific mycorrhizal relationship in the soil and therefore need to be grown initially with some soil collected from around an established plant of the same species[]. They are also very difficult from seed. as well as being intolerant of root disturbance which makes division difficult[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are used in traditional medicine in Mongolia where the plantt is said to be antibacterial, antiinflammatory, haemostatic and spasmolytic[]. It is a constituent of several traditional prescriptions and is used specifically for strengthening the bones and sinews, and for the treatment of rheumatism, bone and joint pain, and inflammatory diseases of the eye[]

This plant was considered to be an effective remedy in the treatment of rheumatism[].
A decoction of the plant has been used to treat the coughing up of blood[].
A poultice of the plant has been used to treat sores and swellings[].

A decoction of the leaves, or the leaves and roots, has been used as an eyewash for sore eyes[].

A decoction of the root has been used to treat liver complaints[].

The herb is used in China as a regional substitute for Pyrola calliantha (Lu Xian Cao)[]

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be used as a ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[]. They are somewhat slow to settle down though, and only form a good cover when they are growing luxuriantly[].

Other Uses

An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - the only information we have on this species is that it is difficult from seed and germinates infrequently[], and also that germination is better in the wild after there has been a non-intense forest fire[]. 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. Consider baking the seed in the seed compost for a short while (up to 60 minutes) at 50°c[]. 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[].