Liverleaf wintergreen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Liverleaf wintergreen |
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| Pyrola asarifolia subsp. asarifolia | |
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Pyrola
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| Species: |
asarifolia
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P. asarifolia subsp. asarifolia |
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Pyrola asarifolia, also known as liverleaf wintergreen or pink wintergreen, is a cool plant found in western North America. It gets its name "wintergreen" because its leaves stay green all through the cold winter months. This plant is often found growing on the edges of forests. You can mostly spot it in the Pacific Northwest and northern California.
What is Pink Wintergreen?
Pink wintergreen is a small, pretty plant. It grows close to the ground. Its leaves are shiny and round, like little saucers. They are a dark green color. These leaves are what make the plant special. They stay green even when other plants lose their leaves in winter.
Flowers and Seeds
In the summer, pink wintergreen grows tall stems. On these stems, you will see lovely pink or reddish flowers. The flowers hang down like tiny bells. Each flower has five petals. After the flowers bloom, the plant makes small seeds. These seeds help new plants grow.
Where it Grows
This plant loves cool, damp places. It often grows in forests. You can find it under trees like firs and pines. It likes soil that has a lot of humus. Humus is made from old leaves and plants that have broken down. Pink wintergreen is common in places like Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. It also grows in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Life Cycle
Pink wintergreen is a perennial plant. This means it lives for many years. It does not die after one growing season. Each year, it grows new leaves and flowers. The plant spreads slowly. It can grow new plants from its roots. It can also grow from the tiny seeds its flowers produce.
