Flower profile
Shinleaf
Pyrola elliptica
Shinleaf is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Vermont it's most often seen in bloom in June–July.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Vermont
Quick look
Pyrola elliptica, known as shinleaf, shinleaf pyrola, waxflower shinleaf, elliptic shineleaf and white wintergreen is a species of heath.
- It belongs to the Ericaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 29 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Vermont. NatureServe
- In Vermont, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–July. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 1,059 research-grade sightings of it in Vermont, ranking #82 among the 110 flowers on our Vermont list. iNaturalist
Shinleaf gift ideas
Handmade shinleaf gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Shinleaf art print
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Shinleaf greeting card
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Shinleaf mug
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Shinleaf earrings
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Shinleaf embroidery pattern
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Shinleaf sticker
When does it bloom?
In Vermont, most flowering sightings come in June–July.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Vermont
- Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: S5, secure in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: DC (SH), DE (S2), IA (S1), NC (S1), NE (S1), VA (S1), WY (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records shinleaf in 29 states plus Washington, D.C.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; District of Columbia.
Vermont counties with USDA records: Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, Windsor.
More Vermont flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile PYEL.
- iNaturalist, Pyrola elliptica: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Pyrola elliptica (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Vermont: Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022).
- Vermont: Vermont Quarantine List, Regulated Introduced Plant Species Rule (eff. June 16, 2026).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Pyrola elliptica (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: er-birds via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.