Trailing Arbutus Epigaea repens
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Epigaea repens var. glabrifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- ep-ih-JEE-ah REH-penz
- Description
-
Trailing Arbutus is a native woodland sub-shrub in the Heath Family that grows as an evergreen mat in sandy to peaty woods and clearings. It grows best in part shade in dry to moist, acidic, sandy to rocky soils with moderate organic matter. In early spring delicate pink to white fragrant flowers appear in clusters. It is becoming endangered in several states.
Trailing Arbutus has delicate roots and is very difficult to establish and perpetuate. It will not tolerate disturbance, is extremely susceptible to failure during drought or flood, and is slow-growing even in good conditions. It is best not to try to transplant it from the wild as it will most likely die. Conditions must be perfect for seeds to grow and they can be slow to germinate.
It is also called the Plymouth Mayflower as it is said it was the first flower the settlers saw blooming in spring after their first hard winter.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Linnaeus'
- 'Plena'
- 'Linnaeus'
- 'Linnaeus', 'Plena'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Linnaeus'
- 'Plena'
- 'Linnaeus'
- 'Linnaeus', 'Plena'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Epigaea
- Species:
- repens
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The Algonquin used an infusion of the leaves for kidney disorders. The Cherokee took a decoction of the plant for abdominal pains. The Iroquois treated rheumatism with a compound decoction of the plant.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant to Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polia) butterfly. Birds will eat the seeds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Flowers are edible but the plant is protected in some states and they should not be picked.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- White
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Whitish berry, resembling a raspberry in appearance. displays from April to June.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of 1/2 inch fragrant, tubular, five-petaled, white to pink flowers bloom from February to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2- 4inch long and 1-2 inch wide bright green leathery oval leaves. The base of the leaf may be rounded or heart-shaped. The leaf edges have stiff, rusty-colored hairs. The margins are smooth and may be wavy.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Woody, trailing, hairy stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
