Pyrola elliptica
 
Shinleaf Wintergreen

Flower Bottom

Centre Block, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
21-July-2012

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Elliptica: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 
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leaves broadly elliptic to oblong; NOT [leaves obovate to subrotund], NOT [leaves ovate-lanceolate, acute]

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leaves mostly longer than the petioles; NOT [leaves mostly shorter than the petioles]

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leaves 3-7 cm long; NOT [leaves 1-3 cm long]

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leaf veins not whitish; NOT [main leaf veins whitish], NOT [leaf veins mottled-white above]

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flowers not all on one side of stem; NOT [flowers crowded on one side of the stem (secund)]

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sepals more or less triangular, as wide as long; NOT [sepals oblong to elliptic, much longer than wide]

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petals white or greenish; NOT [petals pink or purplish]

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style conspicuously protruding from flower

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style curved; NOT [style straight]

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style deflexed at base

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style gradually thickened to a truncate collar; NOT [style not thickened upward]

 

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Pyrola: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus. 
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plants with leaves in a basal rosette; NOT [plants with leafy stems]

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flowers several; NOT [flowers solitary]

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inflorescence racemose; NOT [inflorescence corymbose or umbellate]

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raceme NOT secund

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corolla NOT campanulate

 

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Pyrolaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 
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shrubs or trees; NOT [herbs]

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plants mostly prostrate; NOT [plants mostly upright]

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plants NOT climbing

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stems not armed with prickles

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plants with normal leaves

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leaves alternate; NOT [leaves opposite]

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leaves simple; NOT [leaves compound]

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plants with leathery green leaves

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NOT [inflorescence terminating the branches, half-round or ovoid]

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flowers with two floral rings, and with each petal distinct from the others

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stamens less than 10; NOT [stamens numerous]

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fruit a dry capsule; NOT [fruit a berry], NOT [fruit a 3-lobed drupe]