Friday, June 19, 2015

Pyrola Chlorantha, Green Wintergreen


Day 249: One of several Pyrolas which grow in Mount Rainier National Park, Green Wintergreen can quickly be separated from other varieties by its unusual style. No, I'm not talking about how fashionable it is. I'm referring to the long reproductive structure in the center of the flower. While other Pyrolas may have a curved style, only Pyrola chlorantha also has greenish or cream-coloured flowers. Its leaves are smaller and darker than other Wintergreens and do not have white veins; however, leafless forms do occur. Not to be confused with Gaultheria species (the wintergreen of breath-mint fame), the Pyrolas take their common name from the fact that they are evergreen.

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