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
Heliophily ?: 4
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© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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