Common Name: Waxflower Shinleaf

General Information

Pyrola elliptica is an evergreen perennial plant with a 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 11 - 27cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central N. America - British Columbia to Newfoundland, south to Idaho and Wyoming to Virginia and N. Carolina. Also in Arizona, New Mexico

Habitat

Rich, mainly dry woods[, ]. Dry, upland forests; at elevations from 10 - 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pyrola elliptica is a very cold-hardy, tolerating winter temperatures falling to -20°c or lower.
Species in this genus generally prefer a moist sandy woodland soil[, ] in a cool position with partial shade[, , ], though they are also usually tolerant of very heavy shade and can succeed in sunny positions[]. They require a peaty or leafy acid soil that remains moist in the summer[]. This species is found in dry, upland woods in the wild[]. Soil pH in the wild 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[].
The flowers have a delicate sweet perfume[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves have analgesic properties and were used as a poultice on bruised shins and other sores and wounds[, , ].
A tea made from the leaves was used as a gargle for sore throats and cankers in the mouth[, ].

A tea made from the whole plant was used to treat epileptic fits in babies[, ]. A decoction of the whole plant has been used as eye drops to treat sore eyes, sties and inflamed eyelids[].

A tea made from the roots is 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[], 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[].