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Common Name: Round-Leaved Wintergreen

General Information

Pyrola rotundifolia is a Evergreen Perennial up to 0.25 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, N. and W. Asia. N. E. N. America.

Habitat

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

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.25 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[, , ]. Requires a peaty or leafy but not very acid soil that remains moist in the summer[, ].
Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[].
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 delicious almond-like fragrance[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiotonic, contraceptive, diuretic, poultice, sedative and tonic[, , , , , , ]. A decoction is used in the treatment of skin diseases, as a gargle and a wash for the eyes[]. It is used internally in the treatment of epilepsy and other nervous afflictions[]. The leaves are harvested in mid to late summer and can be used fresh or dried[].
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[].

Other 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[].

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[].