The 3- to 6-inch-long flower-stem springs, along with several leaves, from the top of an underground, somewhat square, stalk.
The leaf is oval, with a somewhat pointed tip, a midrib that is strong and prominent above as well as beneath, and a finely scalloped margin; its texture is thin and firm, and its surface glossy; it is evergreen. Set on slender trough-like short stems, the leaves form a small group. In color a fine, clear green.
The flower is small; the 5 obtuse-pointed, greenish-white petals curve in the shape of a bell, the slightly curving, green pistil protruding; the 5-parted calyx is very small and greenish. The flowers, on their little foot-stems, are set along the stem in a nodding row, whose weight, apparently, pulls the erect stem to one side. A few tiny leafkins occur on this stem.
When the flowers fall, the little 5-scalloped seed-pods with the long pistils remain long in their places. The buds do not open in regular sequence, as is usual among blossoms similarly arranged.
SMALL PYROLA: P. secunda.
| One-flowered Pyrola. | Moneses grandiflora. |
Found usually in pine woods, by shaded brooks, in June.
The small, round, and pale stalk runs along the earth just under its surface, and terminates in a rosette of a few leaves, loosely lying upon the ground, and a flower stem from 2 to 4 inches high.
The round leaf is very smooth underneath, while the ribs and veins we prominent above; the margin is finely notched, and the texture is thin. In color a rich, cool green.