medicinal herbs
Wintergreen
Pyrola minor

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb: Wintergreen

Latin name: Pyrola minor

Family: Pyrolaceae (Wintergreen Family)

Medicinal use of Wintergreen:

The plant is antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic and tonic.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Coniferous woods, moors, damp rock ledges and dunes, on acid and calcareous soils in full sun or deep shade.

Edible parts of Wintergreen:

Fruit. No more details are given. Leaves - raw.

Propagation of the herb:

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.

Cultivation of Wintergreen:

Coniferous woods, moors, damp rock ledges and dunes, on acid and calcareous soils in full sun or deep shade.

Known hazards of Pyrola minor:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.