A comparison of the life histories of Moneses uniflora and Orthilia secunda.

Abstract

The plants that compose the family Pyrolaceae were once, and sometimes still are lumped with those of the Ericaceae, a family with a wide range of variation in morphological characteristics. Species in the Pyrolaceae portray a much more specific set of traits than do Ericaceous plants however. The flowers are regular, perfect, hypogenous and five-merous in that there are five carpels and ten stamens. All pyrolas tend to be herbaceous or nearly so, but the most distinguishing characteristic is the means by which pollen is released through pores on the ends of the anthers. In trying to understand the requirements of Moneses uniflora and Orthilia secunda, it is crucial to understand that no one factor overrides another. Type of substrate, intensity of sunlight, moisture, and pH are all important, and none can be overlooked.