Moneses uniflora : One-flowered Wintergreen

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Spermatophyta (seed bearing)
Angiospermae (enclosed seed)

Class: Dicoteldonae (two seed-leaves)

Family: Pyrolaceae (Wintergreen Family)

Genera: Moneses (Single Delight) (Gk. monos = alone + hesis = delight; reffering to the beautiful single flower)

Species: uniflora (Lat. unus= one + flos= flower; reffering to the single flower produced by each plant)

Synonym(s): Pyrola uniflora

English Name(s):

One-flowered Wintergreen, Single Delight, Woodnymph, Shy Maiden

First Nation Names:

Structure:

• Plants 4-17cm tall with scapose (leafless) stems.
• Arising from slender creeping rhizomes (underground stems).

Leaves:

• Leaves small, ovate, leathery, evergreen, and crouded at the base of stem.

Reproductive Parts:

• Flowers solitary at end of stem, 13-25mm across. At first noding but becoming erect as it comes into fruit.
Petals white to cream, widely spreading, 7-11mm long.
• Stamens (male parts) 10, with filaments (stalks) tapering to the tip. Anthers (top of male parts) noding, opening by pores at the tips.

Seed:

• Capsules erect, round, 5-8mm wide, spliting open between the partitions.

Not to Be Confused With:

• Moneses uniflora (One-flowered Wintergreen) is the only species in the family with just one flower.
Could possibly be mistaken for a species of Parnasia (Grass of Parnassis Genus). Though tey are only superficially similar.

Physiology:

Life Cycle:

• Perenial.

Seasonal Cycle:

• Leaves are evergreen.
• Flowers in bloom early to mid-July.

Animal Uses:

Habitat:

• Moist woods and thickets.
• In deep moss on wooded slopes.

Modern:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

• The flowers are said to be good for treating rashes, bunions and corns. Tie the flowers in place over affected area with a cloth bandage.
• The tea has been taken to relieve colds, sore throats, upset stomachs and lung troubles.

Food:

• Plants contain Vitamin C.
• Seeds and their capsules are edible raw, roasted, parched, or ground.

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

• Plants were brewed for tea.