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Lyonia lucida

Phonetic Spelling
ly-OH-nee-ah LOO-sid-ah
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Fetterbush is a native evergreen shrub in the heath family that is found in swampy areas, bogs and wet woods from VA to FL and west to LA. It grows 3-6 feet tall and wide and has a dense arching often sprawling form that impedes (fetters) foot traffic of animals and humans making it a good hedge. Small fragrant flowers appear in clusters in spring and are followed by woody 5-parted capsules. It spreads by root suckers and rhizomes to form thickets.

This plant grows in moist to wet areas with seasonal flooding and prefers partial shade and rich acidic soil. It does well in better-drained sites though and can tolerate sandy soils once established. 

Use this shrub in naturalized areas, wet sites, as a hedge or privacy screen.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: The fetterbush is susceptible to leaf spot.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#rain garden#nectar plant#native shrub#native bees#cover plant#standing water tolerant#showy fruits#pond margins#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#naturalizes#pollinator plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#partial shade tolerant#flood tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#Audubon#hedge#boggy sites#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#rain garden#nectar plant#native shrub#native bees#cover plant#standing water tolerant#showy fruits#pond margins#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#naturalizes#pollinator plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#partial shade tolerant#flood tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#Audubon#hedge#boggy sites#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lyonia
    Species:
    lucida
    Family:
    Ericaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SE North America, NC and Cuba
    Distribution:
    AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , VA
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    It provides excellent cover, especially in the winter. Its flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Members of the genus Lyonia support the following specialized bees: Colletes product and Melitta (Cilissa) melittoides.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Dense
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    5-parted oval seed capsules. Displays from September to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Urn
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Pinkish flowers are urn-shaped and bloom in clusters from April to June. Color can also be red or white.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are smooth, thick, shiny, and evergreen. A major vein encircles each leaf just inside the edge, and a distinct ridge occurs around the lower side of the leaf margin. The midrib is lighter in color. They are 4 inches long and 2 inches wide.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Shredding
    Bark Description:
    Brown bark which splits and finely shreds.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Description:
    Twigs are scaley, brown and angular
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Poor Soil
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Signs of Toxicity occur usually within six hours of consuming the plant. Symptoms include lack of coordination, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, weakness, muscular spasms, watering of eyes and nose, slow pulse, colic, ataxia, depression, sweating, tingling of skin, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and sometimes even death. Toxicity in sheep, goats, cattle, and horses is most likely to occur in late winter or early spring when other forage is not available. Livestock are found down, unable to stand with their head weaving from side to side.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Andromedotoxin, Grayanotoxins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice