Intro: Short, erect perennial found in forests and woodlands, usually of a drier, more acidic type.

Stems: Stems slightly woody, unbranched, pinkish above the leaves, smooth.

Leaves: Leaves alternate to whorled, petiolate, oval to lance-shaped (broadest below middle), to 4 in. long, sharply toothed, leathery and variegated with white along veins.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers (2-5) on short, nodding stalks branched from top of pinkish stem; waxy-white (sometimes tinged with pink); about 1/2 in. wide; consisting of 5 spreading concave petals surrounding a prominent green ovary and 10 stamens.

Fruits: Fruit a ribbed, round capsule on a now-erect stalk.

Comments: "Wintergreen" in the common name refers to the evergreen habit of the leaves (foliage and stem lack a scent).

Height: 4-8 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Short, erect perennial found in forests and woodlands, usually of a drier, more acidic type.

stems: Stems slightly woody, unbranched, pinkish above the leaves, smooth.

leaves: Leaves alternate to whorled, petiolate, oval to lance-shaped (broadest below middle), to 4 in. long, sharply toothed, leathery and variegated with white along veins.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers (2-5) on short, nodding stalks branched from top of pinkish stem; waxy-white (sometimes tinged with pink); about 1/2 in. wide; consisting of 5 spreading concave petals surrounding a prominent green ovary and 10 stamens.

fruits: Fruit a ribbed, round capsule on a now-erect stalk.

comments: "Wintergreen" in the common name refers to the evergreen habit of the leaves (foliage and stem lack a scent).

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern North America