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Saturday, August 11, 2012

Shinleaf

 
I promised you pictures of a known Pyrola, and I will deliver. Actually, today and tomorrow. I have pictures of two different ones, and I think that almost makes it certain that the one from yesterday is a third species.

Here is the most common Pyrola, shinleaf, in bud. These pictures were from the tip of the Lower Peninsula a couple of years ago.

shinleaf
Take a look at the leaves. They are elliptical and fade into the stem. The name of this plant is Pyrola elliptica.

Now for the good part. Here are the flowers.

shinleaf
I love how they look like little bells with a clapper. Take a closer look.

shinleaf
The clapper is really the pistil- the female part of the flower. The pollen has to get on the tip of the pistil and then it grows a pollen tube to carry the sperm to the egg in the ovule to create seeds. Plants are sexy and strange!

See Pyrola- Which One?
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6 comments:

Secondary Roads said...

What a lovely plant. I always enjoy your plant posts. They help me to more fully enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds me. Thanks!

wiseacre said...

I have yet to add a Pyrola of any kind to my collection. :(

happy face:
I added Dew Drop - dialibarda repens yesterday when hiking in the Adirondack foothills.

Anonymous said...

hello sharkbytes its dennis the vizsla dog hay that is a verry verry green plant!!! nice flowers too!!! it luks like sumthing mama and dada wood put in there akwaryum!!! ok bye

Ann said...

what pretty little flowers it has

jeanlivingsimple said...

Yes, a very pretty plant and flowers. I have never seen one.

Sharkbytes said...

Chuck- you are very kind. Most normal people don't want as much detail.

wise John!- so glad to hear from you. I'm off to check your blog. PS. I never saw a pyrola till I moved to MI, but the one I'll ID tomorrow was seen in NY

Dennis- well, I've never seen it underwater, but maybe in a terrarium

Ann- they look very delicate and waxy

Jean- I think they are more northern