Mitchella repens Linnaeus. Partridge-berry, Two-eyed-berry, Running Box. Phen: May-Jul; Jun-Jul. Hab: Deciduous and coniferous forests, stream-banks, heath balds, maritime forests, on rotten logs and hummocks in bottomlands and other wetter habitats. Dist: NS west to MN, south to c. peninsular FL and TX; disjunct in montane Mexico (CAM, CHP, GRO, HGO, NLE, OAX, PUE, QRO, SLP, TAM, VER) and Guatemala.

ID notes: This species has paired, dimorphic flowers -- one with a short pistil and long stamens, the other with a long pistil and short stamens. Both of the flowers, with basally fused ovaries, must be pollinated to produce the single red "berry". A close look at the fruit shows the summit of the two ovaries.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Other Comments: Plants in maritime forests are more robust than others and often have an ascending habit, the stems sometimes 20-30 cm tall.

Synonymy: = Ar, C, F, Fl5, G, GW2, Il, K1, K3, K4, Meso4.2, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, WV, Huang et al (2013), Rogers (2005)

Show in key(s)

Show parent genus

Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
• Great Plains: FAC
• Midwest: FACU
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily ?: 2