The Lesser Winter-Green 



(PTROLA MINOR) 



The plant here photographed derives its English name from 

 the evergreen character of its leaves. It is in fact a British 

 plant, being found somewhat rarely in Scotland and in the 

 North, but is much more common in Switzerland. It grows 

 among the moss in shady woods, from the plains right up to 

 the tree-limit and may even reach 8000 feet or higher, where 

 protected by shrubs and bushes. The plant is widely 

 distributed in Switzerland and is also found in Vosges, 

 Pyrenees, and Jura. It flowers in July. 



The Lesser Winter-Green will be recognised by its 

 short, straight style, which does not project beyond the flower 

 and which is closely surrounded by the stamens which 

 converge toward it. Of the four other Swiss Pyrolas which 

 resemble the above, two only are at all common, and these 

 two will alone be mentioned. Pyrola secunda will be 

 recognised by its longer straight style, which projects beyond 

 the petals and by its greenish white flowers, which are all 

 turned in the same direction. Its leaves are more pointed 

 and have deeper notches than those of our plant. Pyrola 

 rotundifolia has also a style that projects beyond the petals, 

 but it is curved so that the stigmatic surface at its extremity 

 is far below the centre of the flower. 



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