skip to main content

Intermediate wintergreen

What action is going on for this species?

The following will give you information on what work has been taking place through the Species Action Framework:

Species background

Intermediate wintergreen (Pyrola media) is an evergreen herb with attractive white, globular flowers, tinged with pink, which are borne on a stalk up to 30 cm long above a rosette of shiny, dark green, rounded leaves. It flowers between June and August.

Why is this on the Species Action List?

It meets criterion 1a of the Species Action Framework, as a species for conservation action.

It has suffered a significant decline across Britain since the 1970s, with Scotland now its UK stronghold.  It remains under threat but there is reasonably good knowledge of the requirements of the species and targeted action is likely to make a difference.  Improved management of its woodland and heathland habitats could also benefit other species of concern including two related wintergreens.

It is included on the Scottish Biodiversity List.

Habitat, distribution and abundance

Intermediate wintergreen grows on well-drained, mildly acidic to slightly basic soils in woods and on heaths.  It is now found mainly at higher levels in Scotland, notably in the Cairngorms area, but there are also scattered sites along the west coast and in the north of Skye. 

It has disappeared from many of its former sites in southern Scotland.  It is scarce in England and Ireland.

Elsewhere in Europe it occurs in Scandinavia, woods in the mountains in France, Italy, Bulgaria, Serbia and the Caucasus, and it extends eastwards to Asia Minor.  It is usually found as scattered individuals or in small groups, and is not known to be abundant anywhere in the United Kingdom.

General ecology

Intermediate wintergreen is especially found in pinewoods, in association with species such as creeping ladies tresses orchid. It also occurs in submontane heath, notably areas characterized by bearberry and heather, which may have been derived from former woodland.

History of decline, contributory factors and current threats

Since 1970 it has suffered a significant decline.  This has been most noticeable in northern England and southern Scotland.  In England, it has gone from nearly all its former sites and there are now no sites in Wales; there have also been losses in Ireland. 

It is a shy flowerer and can sometimes be overlooked especially when growing in deep heather; however, this does not account for the greater loss in its wider distribution throughout the northern parts of Britain.  Unfavourable woodland management and increased moorland grazing are the main factors that have brought about the decline.  In many woodlands there is now no suitable management being undertaken.  On heathland there is over-grazing on some areas and no grazing on others, leading to either a very short turf in which the herbaceous species are grazed out, or a rank growth of heather which shades them out.

The 'Species Lead' at Scottish Natural Heritage

Robin.Payne@snh.gov.uk   Tel 01738 458569