Colors

Data mode

Account

Login
Sign up

Support FSUS...

We've finished our 2024 fundraiser. Many thanks to those who have given! It's not too late to support us (click here)...

Copy permalink to share

Epigaea repens Linnaeus. Trailing Arbutus, Mayflower, Ground Laurel. Phen: Late Feb-early May; Apr-Jun. Hab: In a wide variety of acidic forests, xeric to mesic, sandy, rocky, and loamy. Dist: NL (Newfoundland) and QC west to MB, south to FL Panhandle, MS, and MN.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Other Comments: At maturity, the fruits split along the sutures, exposing tiny brown seeds embedded in "sticky, white, placental tissue" which is "distinctly sweet to the taste;" ants are strongly attracted to the placental tissue, and in carrying it away disperse the seeds (Clay 1983).

Synonymy : = C, Fl5, FNA8, G, Il, K1, K3, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV, Luteyn et al (1996); > Epigaea repens L. var. glabrifolia Fernald – F; > Epigaea repens L. var. repens – F

Links to other floras: = Epigaea repens - FNA8

Show in key(s)

Show parent genus

Heliophily : 4

Your browser does not support SVGs

Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.

image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷

Feedback

See something wrong or missing on about Epigaea repens? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months.


Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Prostrate, shrubby perennial found in a variety of moist to dry habitats on acidic soils, including heath balds and exposed banks in rocky or sandy woodlands.

Stems: Stems creeping, reddish-brown, lightly woody and densely hairy.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, short-petiolate, oval, 2-3 in. long, leathery-evergreen with rough texture, covered in rust-colored hairs when new.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in short clusters from axils of terminal leaves, often concealed beneath leaves; white to pink; to 1/2 in. long; trumpet-shaped with 5 spreading corolla lobes; fragrant.

Fruits: Fruit a pea-sized berry-like capsule that changes from green to red, then purple; contains hundreds of tiny brown seeds embedded in a sticky white tissue that is attractive to ants.

Comments:

Height: 4-6 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Prostrate, shrubby perennial found in a variety of moist to dry habitats on acidic soils, including heath balds and exposed banks in rocky or sandy woodlands.

stems: Stems creeping, reddish-brown, lightly woody and densely hairy.

leaves: Leaves alternate, short-petiolate, oval, 2-3 in. long, leathery-evergreen with rough texture, covered in rust-colored hairs when new.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in short clusters from axils of terminal leaves, often concealed beneath leaves; white to pink; to 1/2 in. long; trumpet-shaped with 5 spreading corolla lobes; fragrant.

fruits: Fruit a pea-sized berry-like capsule that changes from green to red, then purple; contains hundreds of tiny brown seeds embedded in a sticky white tissue that is attractive to ants.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern North America