Moneses uniflora (One-flowered Pyrola)
| Also known as: | One-flowered Wintergreen, Single Delight |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Moneses |
| Family: | Ericaceae (Heath) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, shade; damp woods, bogs |
| Bloom season: | June - August |
| Plant height: | 2 to 6 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FAC MW: FAC NCNE: FAC |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.
Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/moneses-uniflora-8.jpg)
Single 5-petaled white flower, ½ to ¾ inch wide, typically nodding face down, on long smooth stalk with a small attending bract where the stalk hooks downward. Petals are egg-shaped with rounded tips and wavy edges; in the flower center is a large round green ovary with a stout style and enlarged 5 lobed stigma. 10 stout, hooked stamens with enlarged tips (anthers) surround the ovary; anthers have small narrowed pollen sacs.
Leaves:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/moneses-uniflora-11.jpg)
Leaves are basal, 1 to 3 opposite sets or in groups of 3, oval or nearly round, edges nearly smooth to finely wavy-toothed, 1/3 to ¾ inches long, the blade longer or as long as the leaf stalk. Leaves are dark green, thin with a dull waxy sheen.
Notes:
A commonly encountered favorite in cool damp northern woods and cedar/spruce bogs, One-flowered Pyrola appears in denser clusters but still requires getting down on your hands and knees to appreciate it delicate beauty.Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓
Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest
More photos
One-flowered Pyrola plant 
plant hiding in the moss 
more flowers 
One-flowered Pyrola habitat Photos by K. Chayka taken at Pennington Bog SNA, Beltrami county. Photos by Peter M. Dziuk taken in Beltrami, Cass and Aitkin counties.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2011-04-27 16:18:17
I found Pyrola on our property just south of Northome, MN, in a balsam bog.
on: 2011-07-25 17:51:20
This is one of the most charming flowers I've ever seen. It grows in damp places (near interrupted ferns and ginger patches) in the forest of Lake Superior near Hovland .... even with my aging knees, it absolutely demands that I get down on my hands and knees to enjoy its shy face.
on: 2015-05-29 02:03:39
Such a dainty plant. There are several just off the Holland Lake trail (edge of thicket) in Lebanon Hills Park. (Only the white variety.)
on: 2015-06-13 15:38:37
Saw these June 12, 2015.
on: 2016-06-14 10:12:03
This tiny plant occupies a very small space on one mossy decaying log, but it reappears each year with 5 to 7 intricate tiny blooms. It is blooming now, the second week of June.
on: 2016-06-25 13:33:38
Found this dainty beauty growing on the decaying cedar slices we laid at the drip line of our Island Lake cabin roof. Laid on the duff covered ground to take a picture to submit for identification. So glad I did!
on: 2016-07-07 21:06:45
shady area on an island and along a portage path
on: 2017-06-22 16:53:49
Just passed a small patch of these on the portage from Gordon Lake to Cherokee Lake in the BWCAW. Only place I spotted them.
on: 2017-06-28 08:31:34
I saw these in a shady area very near the trail. When I see the Linnaea and mossy areas, I look around for Pyrola and often see some nearby.
on: 2017-06-30 09:03:54
I found a patch of these near the parking lot of the Snake River entry point to the BWCA.
on: 2017-07-29 16:50:21
Saw them earlier this week in the pine forest on the way up Pincushion Mountain north of Grand Marais. My first time seeing Pyrola. Such sweet flowers.
on: 2018-07-01 19:19:22
Saw a patch of these today near the end of the Park Point trail. They have a lovely scent, almost like mock orange.
on: 2018-07-05 17:45:05
Saw these on the trail to High Falls, first and only patch I've seen.
on: 2018-07-06 20:51:00
Saw these flowers today on SHT Leveaux section, between Tofte and Lutsen. So prettty.
on: 2019-06-28 17:26:09
Found a few clusters of these on one of the Islands on Crane Like! Truly a magical find, especially for the younger kids I was watching who insisted they were fairy umbrellas.
on: 2020-06-19 19:04:40
6-19-20 Just saw a small cluster on the North Arm Trail, headed toward Troll Bridge (Ely MN)