Galax urceolata (Galax)

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DIAPENSIACEAE

Diapensiaceae

Galax

Galax urceolata (Poiret) Brummitt. Common name: Galax, Beetleweed. Phenology: May-Jul; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Mountain forests, rock outcrops, nearly ubiquitous in the Mountains, more restricted in habitat elsewhere, moist to dry slopes in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, often associated with Kalmia latifolia or Rhododendron maximum. Distribution: The genus consists of this single species, with a range centered in the Southern Appalachians, occurring in NC, SC, GA, AL, e. TN, KY, VA, WV, and MD.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: Diploid and tetraploid races exist, and both are present in our area (Nesom 1983). In NC, diploids are the predominant race in the Mountains, the s. Piedmont, and the s. and c. Coastal Plain; tetraploids predominate along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, the n. Piedmont, and the n. Coastal Plain. In SC, diploids occur in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, tetraploids in the mountains and escarpment. In GA, the pattern is similar, with diploids extending farther into the Piedmont and tetraploids restricted to the Mountains and upper Piedmont. In AL, only diploids are known. In VA, however, tetraploids occupy the Coastal Plain and e. Piedmont, diploids in the upper Piedmont and Mountains. A study of the flavonoids supported the idea that the tetraploid is an autopolyploid derivative of the diploid. Because of the close morphologic similarity, substantially sympatric distributions, and apparent general absence of demonstrable ecologic differentiation between the two races, it seems best not to attempt to taxonomically distinguish them (Nesom 1983; Soltis, Bohm, & Nesom 1983; Burton & Husband (1999).

Other Comments: "Galax-pulling" (the gathering of the often bronze-colored evergreen leaves for the florist trade) is an important folk industry in the mountains.

Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA8, K4, NE, NS, NY, POWO, Tn, Va, W, Scott & Day (1983); = Galax aphylla L. — C, F, G, RAB, S, S13, WV, misapplied. Basionym: Pyrola urceolata Poir. 1804

Links to other floras: = Galax urceolata - FNA8

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Wetland Indicator Status:

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily ⓘ: 4

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Horticultural Information

Intro: Low-growing, colonial evergreen perennial spreading by rhizomes, found in mountain forests and around rock outcrops as well as on moist to dry slopes in the Piedmont and occasionally in the Coastal Plain, often associated with Kalmia latifolia or Rhododendron maximum.

Stems: Stem consists of underground rhizomes.

Leaves: Leaves emerging directly from rhizomes and usually in extensive colonies, round, leathery and shiny green, turning reddish-bronze in winter.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in a spike occupying the upper 1/3 of a slender, leafless flowering stalk; white; Â¼ in. wide or less; consisting of 5 tiny ascending petals.

Fruits:

Comments: This plant is sometimes detected by its smell, which is often described as skunk-like. The collecting of Galax leaves for the florist trade is an important folk industry in the mountains, but over-collecting has become a significant threat.

Height: 8-15 in.

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description: Low-growing, colonial evergreen perennial spreading by rhizomes, found in mountain forests and around rock outcrops as well as on moist to dry slopes in the Piedmont and occasionally in the Coastal Plain, often associated with Kalmia latifolia or Rhododendron maximum.

stems: Stem consists of underground rhizomes.

leaves: Leaves emerging directly from rhizomes and usually in extensive colonies, round, leathery and shiny green, turning reddish-bronze in winter.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in a spike occupying the upper 1/3 of a slender, leafless flowering stalk; white; Â¼ in. wide or less; consisting of 5 tiny ascending petals.

fruits:

comments: This plant is sometimes detected by its smell, which is often described as skunk-like. The collecting of Galax leaves for the florist trade is an important folk industry in the mountains, but over-collecting has become a significant threat.

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range:

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