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Epigaea repens L.

Trailing arbutus

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderEricalesTea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others
FamilyEricaceaeHeath or heather family
GenusEpigaeaGreek epi, “upon,” and ge, “the earth,” referring to trailing growth
SpeciesrepensHaving creeping and rooting stems

About plant names...

Trailing arbutus is native to parts of North America, central Europe, and western Africa.

Identification: These very low-growing shrubs, 4-6″ (10-15 cm) high, are among the first to bloom in the spring. Remaining low to the ground, they spread to widths of about 2′ (60 cm). The fragrant flowers, about ½″ (1.3 cm) across, are red, pink, or most commonly white. Leaves are oval, leathery, evergreen, often battered-looking, dark green, 1-3″ (2.5-7.6 cm) long. Berries are yellowish-orange, with white interiors, about ⅛″ (5 mm) in diameter.

Edibility: Plants are poisonous to some livestock, and may be to people as well. The flowers are sometimes added to salads, adding a sweet-sour taste.

Online References:

Www.carolinanature.com

The University of Connecticut Plant Database

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Botanical.com

The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

EFloras

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/23/2016 · Big Tree/Porcupine Trail, Beaver, Hollis, Mass­a­chu­setts

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

10/15/2023 · Mt. Battie, Camden Hills State Park, Camden, Maine

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/24/2021 · Green Point, Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Ledges Trail, Crocker Pond, Labyrinth, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine · ≈ 13 × 9″ (33 × 22 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

2/17/2012 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain

Epigaea repens L. var. glabrifolia Fernald

 

Epigaea repens description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Oct 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/28/2014 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

A broad patch of sunlight helped this become my first forest floor wildflower bloom of the season. · 4/13/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

10/5/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

5/8/2021 · Devil’s Back Trail, Orr’s Island, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/19/2021 · Center Pond Preserve, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/3/2010 · Point Lookout, Lincolnville, Maine · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/23/2021 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (10 × 7.1 cm)

Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)

4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Range:

About this map...