one-sided wintergreen
ExplorePlants
one-sided wintergreen
Orthilia secunda
One-sided wintergreen is a small, evergreen plant that grows close to the ground. It has shiny green leaves and produces tiny white flowers that turn into bright red berries, which are enjoyed by birds.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The one-sided wintergreen is a small, evergreen perennial with a distinctive flower arrangement. Its small, greenish-white bell-shaped flowers all point downwards and grow from just one side of a reddish stalk. The dark green, shiny, oval leaves remain year-round, often forming dense patches on the forest floor.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusOrthilia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its name, it doesn't have the strong wintergreen scent found in other plants!
Its tiny seeds are like dust, so small they can be carried far by the wind!
Its unique flowers are all lined up on one side, like a tiny green comb!
This plant helps scientists understand forest health as a special indicator species.
Special abilities
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
Its flowers grow only on one side of the stem, creating a distinct display that helps guide insects to its nectar.
Ability
Underground Network
One-sided wintergreen can spread using underground stems called rhizomes, helping it form colonies and find new growth spots.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-20 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.3-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Two-form Bumblebee
Bombus bifarius
Its downward-facing flowers are perfectly shaped for bumblebees.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer sometimes browse its leaves, especially when other food is scarce.
shelters
White Spruce
Picea glauca
Often found growing in the shade beneath conifer trees like spruce.
Traits
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not eat any berries or plants unless you are sure they are safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is one-sided wintergreen?
5-20 cm
How wide does one-sided wintergreen spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on one-sided wintergreen?
0.3-0.5 cm
When does one-sided wintergreen bloom?
Summer
Is one-sided wintergreen edible?
No
Is one-sided wintergreen toxic?
None
What is one-sided wintergreen's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is one-sided wintergreen pollinated?
Insect
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