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Inflorescence a raceme, 10-30 cm long, open, elongated, many-flowered, flowers radially symmetric, bent downwards; sepals 5, distinct, 3-5 mm, oblong, reddish brown, hairless to hairy; petals 5, fused forming urn shape, 6-9 mm, rounded, whitish; stamens 10, filaments flattened, linear; anthers egg-shaped with pair of slender, deflexed awns; pistils 1, ovary superior, spherical, style 5-lobed, stigma capitate

Similar species: Pyrola minor L. (Lesser Wintergreen) P. minor can be distinguished from P. andromedea by its distinct, oval petals and circular leaf blades. Pyrola ulinginosa Torr. (Sweet Pinesap) P. ulinginosa can be distinguished from P. andromedea by its thick, oval leaf blades, obtuse petals, and purple flowers. Medical uses: A cold infusion made from the stem and fruit of P. andromedea was used to treat lung disorders (Plants of Alberta). Unique Adaptations: Pterospora andromedea lack chlorophyll and are linked to specific fungal species which are in turn linked to autotrophic plants (Massicotte et al, 2005). The autotrophic plants provide the mycohterotroph with carbon compounds and nutrients through a ‘fungal bridge’ (Robertson and Robertson, 1982). Mycoheterotrophs form very specific mycorrhizal associations, with Pterospora forming mycorrhizals with the fungal genus Rhizopogon (Massicotte et al, 2005). In these associations, the fungi form dense, interwoven networks of hyphae around the root of the mycoheterotroph. The blue tinged color of Pteropspora andromeda roots is due to the presence of fungi (Massicotte et al, 2005). The mycorrhizas of Pterospora have hyphae that protrude into the epidermal cells of the plant root to form fungal ‘pegs’ (Robertson and Robertson, 1982) This unique plant to fungus interface it is thought to be the site of nutrient transfer, though there is no direct evidence of this (Massicotte et al, 2005).