ONE FLOWERED PYROLA.
_Moneses uniflora._
THIS exquisitely scented flower is only found in the shade of the
forest, in rich black leaf mould, where, like _P. elliptica_, it forms
considerable beds; it is of evergreen habit. The leaves are of a dark
green and smooth surface, clustered at the base of the running
root-stalk and sending up from the centre one simple scape, bearing a
gracefully nodding flower; each milk-white petal is elegantly scalloped;
the stamens, 8 to 10, are set close to the base of the petal; the
anthers are of a bright purple amethyst colour; the style straight, with
five radiating points at the extremity forming a perfect mural crown in
shape: it is of a bright green and much exceeds in length the stamen.
The scent of the flower is very fine, resembling in richness that of the
hyacinthe. This species is not common. There is another variety of the
single-flowered Pyrola that is of more frequent occurrence in our woods.
The flower is of a greenish white, the anthers of a brownish fawn
colour, the whole height of the plant scarcely exceeding four or five
inches, and the scent is less fragrant than that of the pure white
single Pyrola (_Moneses uniflora_).
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