Common Name: Round-Leaved Wintergreen

General Information

Pyrola rotundifolia is an evergreen perennial plant with a long, slender, branched, 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 - 30cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to form a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Widely spread throughout temperate Eurasia to northern Indo-China

Habitat

Bogs, fens and woods, especially beech woods, often on limestone, and in dune slacks[]. Avoids acid soils[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Pyrola rotundifolia 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[]. 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 delicious almond-like fragrance[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are antilithic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiotonic, contraceptive, diuretic, poultice, sedative and tonic[, , , , , , ]. It is used internally in the treatment of epilepsy and other nervous afflictions[]. A decoction of the plant is prescribed against profuse menses, bloody stools, haemorrhages and ulcers in urinary passages[].
A decoction is used externally in the treatment of skin diseases, as a gargle and a wash for the eyes[]. The leaves are bruised and applied as a poultice to wounds in order to staunch haemorrhages. The poultice is also applied to animal and insect bites[].
The leaves are harvested in mid to late summer and can be used fresh or dried[].

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

The plant contains arbutin, a proven diuretic and antibacterial agent that is used as a urinary antiseptic, this hydrolyzes in the body into the toxic hydroquinone[].

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

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[].