Photos: © Doug McGrady

This month we have a fairly common woodland plant with only basal leaves. Each leaf measures 1-3 inches in length and is longer than wide, lightly toothed and longer than the leaf stalk. The 5-parted white flowers are visible in summer and rise 4 to 12 inches tall in a raceme. The style (pistil) of each flower protrudes noticeably from among the petals.

It is…

Botanical Name: Pyrola elliptica
Common Name: shinleaf
Family: Ericaceae
Habitat: moist or dry woods

© 2026 Among Rhode Island Wildflowers