Staggerbush Lyonia mariana
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ly-OH-nee-ah may-ree-AH-nah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Fetterbush is a native shrub of moist sandy sites in the coastal plains. It is listed as endangered in several northern states. Fetterbush is found in moist to wet, sandy or peaty soils in swamps and moist or dry forests in filtered shade to full sun. However, it is adaptable to loamy garden soils with consistent moisture. It spreads by rhizomes. Use in naturalized areas, as a hedge or wet sites.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lyonia
- Species:
- mariana
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The Cherokee use an infusion of the plant for toe itch, 'ground-itch' and ulcers
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE and Central U.SA., NC
- Distribution:
- : AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , LA , MD , MO , NC , NJ , NY , OK , PA , RI , SC , TX , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Fetterbush is a nectar plant. Members of the genus Lyonia support the following specialized bees: Colletes productu and Melitta (Cilissa) melittoides.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Oval 5 parted seed capsule. Displays from September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, white or pink, urn-shaped to tubular blooms that droop in terminal clusters. Blooms from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Leathery green leaves with red fall color
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Poor Soil
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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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
