Epigaea repens L.

Trailing Arbutus; Ground Laurel; Mayflower

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Trailing Arbutus is a native evergreen creeping subshrub in the Azalea family (Ericaceae). It occurs primarily in the northern half of Alabama. Trailing Arbutus grows in sandy pine woodlands, in rocky woods, in ravines, and on roadside banks. It is a creeping subshrub only a few inches in height. The branches are prostrate along the soil surface and often covered with leaf litter. The twigs are long pubescent, especially when young. Leaves are alternate though they are often so closely spaced as to appear opposite or whorled. Leaves are petiolate, ovate to elliptic in outline, thick and leathery in texture, and pubescent. The leaves have ciliate margins. Flowers are produced in dense axillary or terminal spikes or racemes. Individual flowers have 5 dry gennish brown sepals. Flowers are salverform in shape with 5 spreading lobes. Flowers are white to pink in color and fragrant. Flowers can be bisexual or functionally unisexual (due to sterile stamens or undeveloped ovary). The staminate flowers are larger than carpellate flowers. The fruit is a fleshy capsule. Trailing Arbutus is sometimes cultivated but is difficult to establish and maintain. It prefers a well-draining acidic soil in full to partial sun.—A. Diamond

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Native G5 (Global Rank)

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