Sidebells

Sidebells
(Pyrola secunda)

A small plant, 3 to 6 inches high, that grows in moist shaded woods and along stream banks. The little nodding white flowers grow only along one side of the scape.

The leaves of this plant and others in the same genus have been used to treat bruises and scrapes, especially on the shins. This use has given rise to another common name for the plant -- shinleaf wintergreen.