Phyllanthopsis phyllanthoides (Nutt.) Voronts. & Petra Hoffm.

Maidenbush

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Maidenbush is a native deciduous shrub in the Leaf Flower family (Phyllanthaceae). It is known from only two counties in Alabama. Maidenbush occurs on limestone or dolomite outcrops and on gravel bars along streams and rivers. Plants grow to a height of 3-5 feet. The young stems are green and older stems are reddish-brown. The stems are glabrous or with a few hairs, and have vertical ridges. Leaves are alternate, sessile or with very short petioles, elliptic to orbicular in outline, with entire margins. The upper leaf surface is dark green and glabrous or with a few hairs along the veins. The lower leaf surface is lighter green in color and glabrous or pubescent. Plants are monoecious (either producing male or female flowers). Staminate flowers are solitary or in fascicles of 2-4 from the axils of the leaves. Pistillate flowers are solitary in the axils of the leaves. Staminate flowers are pedicellate and have 4-5 greenish-yellow sepals and 4-5 similar petals. Pistillate flowers have 5 green sepals. The fruit is a capsule. Maidenbush is listed as a S2/S3 species in Alabama (S2 - Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state. S3 - Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in the state), and globally as a G4 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Maidenbush is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It requires a basic soil and full sun. Plants are drought tolerant once established and are deer resistant.--A. Diamond

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Native S2S3 (State Rank) G4 (Global Rank)

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