Ontario Wildflowers website

One-sided Pyrola
Orthilia secunda
(formerly Pyrola secunda)

One-sided Pyrola (Orthilia secunda) Other common names: One-sided Shinleaf, One-sided Wintergreen, Sidebells Wintergreen

Other scientific names: Pyrola secunda

French names: Pyrole unilatérale

Family: Heath Family (Ericaceae), (Pyrola Family (Pyrolaceae))

Group: Pyrolas

Similar species:
  •   One-Flowered Pyrola (Moneses uniflora) - has only one flower.


Flowers: Summer;  White;  5 parts (petals)

Leaves: Simple

Height: 7-20 cm (3-8 in)

Habitat: Forests

Grows in Sun/Shade: Shade

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 178   

Native/Non-native: Native

Photographs: 45 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

One-sided Pyrola (Orthilia secunda)

All of the the flowers of One-sided Pyrola are on one side of the flower stalk, hence the common name.

One-sided Pyrola (Orthilia secunda)

One-sided Pyrola (Orthilia secunda)

Current year's One-sided Pyrola flowers along with last years dead seed pods.

One-sided Pyrola (Orthilia secunda)

An entire One-sided Pyrola plant in the woods.

One-sided Pyrola (Orthilia secunda)


Range map for One-sided Pyrola (Orthilia secunda)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)