Lyonia ligustrina

Common Name(s):

Lyonia, Maleberry

Categories:

Native Plants, Poisonous Plants, Shrubs, Trees

Comment:

A drought tolerant deciduous shrub.  Shows the best flower production if half day of direct sun is received.

Wildlife Value: Maleberry is a nectar plant and produces good tasting honey. Members of the genus Lyonia support the following specialized bees: Colletes productu and Melitta (Cilissa) melittoides.

Height:

2-25 ft.

Foliage:

Alternate, simple dark green leaves

Flower:

White flowers in spring on previous season's growth.Small, white or pink, urn-shaped and drooping, in terminal clusters; fruit a globose or pear-shaped capsule, not depressed at the apex.

Zones:

6-8

Habit:

Evergreen

Site:

Partial shade; dry to moist soil

Texture:

Medium

Exposure:

Partial shade; dry to moist soil

Fruit:

White flowers in spring on previous season ft.s growth

Poison Part:

Leaves and nectar from flowers

Poison Delivery Mode:

Ingestion

Symptoms:

Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, slow pulse, nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, tingling of skin, lack of coordination, convulsions, paralysis

Toxic Principle:

Andromedotoxin

Severity:

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Found in:

Forest or natural areas in moist woodlands and pocosins; in landscape cultivated as ornamental woody shrub

Tags:

bees, honey, nectar, pollinator, specialized bees, wildlife, honeybees, native bees, evergreen

NCCES plant id: 505