This week, I’m featuring Shinleaf (Pyrola elliptica) as one of our local wildflowers that begins to bloom at this time.

Shinleaf is the most common species of Pyrola and it is one of the few eastern woodland plants to flower in summer in deep shade.  Contrastingly, in a 1990s study conducted in Massachusetts, Shinleaf was one of the few understory plants that still had not recovered since the forest canopy was blown down in a 1935 hurricane, even though the forest trees had largely regenerated.

Identification Tips:

Shinleaf is an erect perennial, about four or five to ten or twelve inches tall.  Botanists classify this species as a subshrub.  The oblong (elliptical) leaves are green and one to 2 ¾ inches long with barely noticeable teeth all around the edges.  A semi-lustrous rosette of papery green leaves grows at ground level.  The leaf stalk is generally as long as, or slightly shorter than, the leaf blade.

The fragrant, nodding flowers bloom on unbranched, hairless 6-10” stalks with reddish stemlets and green veins.  Each stalk has a raceme of 3 to 21 white, greenish-white or yellowish-green, waxy flowers that appear in an alternating pattern on all sides along the upper part of the stem.  Due to their appearance, the flowers are the basis for another common name:   Waxflower Shinleaf.  Each flower is about ⅓ inch wide with five oval petals (with greenish veins) and a cluster of orange-tipped stamens under the upper petals.  The flowers also have a pale green style that curves down and out below the lower petals like an elephant’s trunk.  The sepals are triangular, about as long as wide and about ¼ as long as the petals.

The flowers are followed by fruit, which is a flattened, round, five-chambered capsule about ¼ inch in diameter with the remains of the style attached at the bottom.

The plant stem and seed capsules often persist through winter, aiding their identification.

Culinary and Medicinal Uses:

No edible uses were found for Shinleaf.

The common name is in reference to the medicinal properties of the plant.  The leaves are said to have analgesic properties and were used as a poultice on bruised shins and other sores and wounds.  Such a leaf plaster was referred to as a shin plaster.  American Indians used the plant to treat several ailments.  The Cherokee, for instance, used it as a dermatological aid for cuts and sores.  The Iroquois reportedly gave babies a decoction of roots and leaves to relieve fits or epileptic seizures; they also used a decoction of the whole plant as eye drops to treat sore eyes, sties and inflamed eyelids.  In addition, the Iroquois used a compound infusion of plants for rheumatism.  The Mohegans are said to have used an infusion of leaves as a gargle for sores or cankers in the mouth.

Wildlife Value:

Shinleaf has negligible value as a source of food for wildlife.

Much like wintergreens, Shinleaf is insect pollinated, most commonly by flies.  The rather large and complex stigma is believed to be an adaptation to ensure that small insects carrying pollen have an attractive landing place.

Shinleaf plants, along with other Pyrolas, are reportedly eaten in minimal amounts by Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus).

Where Found Locally:

• 100 Acre Wood
• Anchor Diamond Park at Hawkwood
• Ann Lee Pond Nature and Historic Preserve
• Ashford Glen Preserve
• Balsam Way Natural Area
• Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve
• Hayes Nature Park
• North Woods Nature Preserve
• Peter Desrochers Memorial Country Knolls Trails
• Settlers Hill Natural Area
• Summer Hill Natural Area
• Ushers Road State Forest
• Veterans Memorial Park
• West Sky Natural Area
• Woodcock Preserve
• Zim Smith Trail