1. : false lily of the valley
2. : white adder's-tongue
3. : either of two wintergreens of the genus Pyrola:
a. : a plant ( P. elliptica ) with oblong leaves and white to pinkish flowers that is prob. native to Japan but widely distributed in No. America
b. : a plant ( P. rotundifolia ) with rounded leaves and very fragrant creamy white flowers that is widely distributed in northerly parts of both Old and New Worlds ; especially : false wintergreen