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One-sided orthilia

One-sided orthilia

Orthilia secunda

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How common: Very common

One-sided orthilia is a small, evergreen forest plant of the northern hemisphere. It grows 5–20 cm tall and is most often seen in moist, shady conifer woods. Its name comes from the flower cluster that hangs to one side at the top of the stem.

Did you know?

  • The thick, dark green leaves stay green through winter under the snow.
  • The flowers are small greenish bells that all lean to one side, giving the plant its name.

About the species

Identification

A low, upright plant that spreads with thin runners. Leaves crowd near the base in two tight spirals, 2–4 cm long, egg-shaped, thick and shiny, with fine saw-toothed edges; the leaf stalk is shorter than the blade. Flower stalk bears a dense, one-sided, nodding cluster of many small greenish, bell-shaped flowers (about 5 mm). Later it forms round capsules with tiny seeds. Compared with other wintergreens, its flowers are greener and all face one way, not around the stem. Flowers in Finland in June–July.

Plant group

Herbaceous plants

Habitat

heath forest

Flowering

Jun–Jul

About the habitat

Grows in moist, mossy conifer forests and other cool, shady woods, often on peaty or humus-rich soil; also in birch woods in northern areas. Common throughout the country.

Sources

Photo: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Orthilia secunda s16.jpg

Text: Pinkka: BIO-503 Suomen kasvisto ja kasvillisuus - Metsät: tuoreet kankaat, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.38634

Text: Pinkka (Luomus), CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.38634

Text: Pinkka: Kasvien talvi - Talvivihreät luonnonkasvit, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.38634

Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuokkutalvikki

See also