Seasonal Wild Flowers

Round-leaved Wintergreen

Pyrola rotundifolia subsp. Rotundifolia

Pyrolaceae

June to September

Scattered and rather scarce

For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway

It grows in calcareous damp places such as dune slacks, chalk

pits and fens. It is in decline due to loss of habitats.

Round-leaved Wintergreen is a native, rhizomatous, mycorrhizal,

evergreen perennial herb, growing up to 30cm.

The flower stem (scape) is pale, up to 40cm, with 1 or 2 brown

scales.

Flowers are 5-merous, approximately 1cm across, with pure

white petals.

Anthers (10) are orange and the style is 7-8mm long, and curved

with a 5-lobed, capitate stigma.

The 5 ovaries form a fleshy ring round the base of the style.

The fruit is a capsule.

Leaves are at the base of the stem , round to oval, and up to 5cm.

Round-leaved Wintergreen in a dune slack

Close-up of flowers, stamens and style

Flower from above

Rings of ovaries at base of styles

Fruit formation

Leaves

Scale on scape