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Species Details
Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
LeavesBlades 1-3 cm long; shorter than petioles; oval-circular; small rounded teeth or smooth margin; thick; dull green on top (Moss, 1983). Rosette at stem base; leathery (Johnson et al., 1995). Grow at base flowering stem and on sterile shoots (E-Flora BC).
FlowersGrow on leafless stalk; unbranched, elongated inflorescence; sepals 1-1.5 mm long; petals 5-7 mm long; pale yellowish to greenish-white; conspicuous anther-tubes; style 4-7 mm long (Moss, 1983). Nodding; 3-10 in cluster at stem tip (Johnson et al., 1995). Style curved; sepals triangular egg-shaped (E-Flora BC).
Fruits and SeedsCapsule; spherical; 4-7 mm long (Johnson et al., 1995).
Scientific Name
Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
Common Name
green wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
General Description
Perennial herb with long rhizomes, leafy sterile shoots and flowering leafless stems 8-25 cm tall (Johnson et al., 1995).
Leaves
Blades 1-3 cm long; shorter than petioles; oval-circular; small rounded teeth or smooth margin; thick; dull green on top (Moss, 1983). Rosette at stem base; leathery (Johnson et al., 1995). Grow at base flowering stem…
Blades 1-3 cm long; shorter than petioles; oval-circular; small rounded teeth or smooth margin; thick; dull green on top (Moss, 1983). Rosette at stem base; leathery (Johnson et al., 1995). Grow at base flowering stem and on sterile shoots (E-Flora BC).
Flowers
Grow on leafless stalk; unbranched, elongated inflorescence; sepals 1-1.5 mm long; petals 5-7 mm long; pale yellowish to greenish-white; conspicuous anther-tubes; style 4-7 mm long (Moss, 1983). Nodding; 3-10 in cluster…
Grow on leafless stalk; unbranched, elongated inflorescence; sepals 1-1.5 mm long; petals 5-7 mm long; pale yellowish to greenish-white; conspicuous anther-tubes; style 4-7 mm long (Moss, 1983). Nodding; 3-10 in cluster at stem tip (Johnson et al., 1995). Style curved; sepals triangular egg-shaped (E-Flora BC).
Fruits and Seeds
Capsule; spherical; 4-7 mm long (Johnson et al., 1995).
Phenology
June-August (JSTOR).
Notes
2n=46 (Moss, 1983). Also called Pyrola virens (Johnson et al., 1995). Leaves high amounts of methyl salicylate which has been used as a natural pain killer; chewed leaves can be applied to wounds as poultice (Johnson…
2n=46 (Moss, 1983). Also called Pyrola virens (Johnson et al., 1995). Leaves high amounts of methyl salicylate which has been used as a natural pain killer; chewed leaves can be applied to wounds as poultice (Johnson et al., 1995).
Similar species:
Pyrola elliptica: white evergreen; flowers whitish green similar to green wintergreen; leaf blades broadly elliptical, 3-7 cm long; longer than stalks (Johnson et al., 1995).
Pyrola minor: lesser wintergreen; has straight style; white-pinkish flowers (Johnson et al., 1995).
Range/Distribution
Alberta: throughout province excluding SW corner; dominantly SE edge along foothills and central (Canadensys). CAN (BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT); USA (AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, ID, IN, ME, MD, MA, MI,…
Alberta: throughout province excluding SW corner; dominantly SE edge along foothills and central (Canadensys). CAN (BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT); USA (AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, ID, IN, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NJ, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VA, WV, VT, WA, WY, WI) (USDA).
Citation
Page Citation for Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Pyrola chlorantha Sw., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-7051/12-103267. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 156 specimens of this Species.
129600 - Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreen wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve
Date Collected1981-06-21
129602 - Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreen wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Beehive Ecological Reserve
Date Collected1981-08-09
135012 - Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreen wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Whitehorse Creek Provincial Recreation Area
Date Collected2012-06-20
134380 - Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreen wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Bourque Lake
Date Collected2009-06-29
135461 - Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreen wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Keg River, Keg River Lookout Tower
Date Collected1984-06-21
137502 - Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreen wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Saskatchewan, Emma Lake
Date Collected2013-06-30
141029 - Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreen wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Jackson Lake
Date Collected2016-06-08
144272 - Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreen wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Peers
Date Collected1980-06-21
142703 - Pyrola chlorantha Sw.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namegreen wintergreen, greenish-flowered wintergreen
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Suicide Creek
Date Collected2018-07-04