Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Pyrola asarifolia (Liverleaf wintergreen)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Pyrola asarifolia Michx.

Liverleaf wintergreen, Pink pyrola, Pink shinleaf, Pink wintergreen

Pyrolaceae (Wintergreen Family)

USDA Symbol: pyas

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A basal rosette of thick, roundish leaves, with petioles at least as long as the blade, subtends an 8-16 in., leafless flowering stalk. A little woodland plant with shiny, leathery leaves near base and 5-25 pink to reddish-pink flowers hanging in racemes at top. Leaves are leathery, glossy, dark green above and purplish beneath, with wavy edges. The pink, waxy flowers, 1/2 in. broad, hang downward and occur in loose racemes.

Pyrola species are common woodland wildflowers. Sometimes they are leafless, in which case they are saprophytes, absorbing their nutrients from the rich soil humus. All such, regardless of their biological species, were once classified as Leafless Pyrola (P. aphylla), but leafless phases with pink flowers are probably Bog Wintergreen (P. asarifolia).

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , CO , IA , ID , IN , MA , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NH , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , UT , VT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Nf. to AK, s. to n. New England, c. & w. NY, n. IN, WI, ND, NM mts. & CA
Native Habitat: Damp, open, mossy forests & stream banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich, calcareous soil.

Propagation

Description: Dust-like seed is difficult to germinate but may produce plants if sown on sphagnum moss.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Native plants to stop pond bank erosion
June 04, 2008
I recently purchased a home with a small pond in which a nearby stream daylights. The former owner placed large field stone around the pond and the small stream; however, the area around the pond and...
view the full question and answer

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Pyrola asarifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Pyrola asarifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pyrola asarifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back