Epigaea repens (Trailing arbutus)

Epigaea repens L.

Trailing arbutus

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Ericales	Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others
Family	Ericaceae	Heath or heather family
Genus	Epigaea	Greek epi, “upon,” and ge, “the earth,” referring to trailing growth
Species	repens	Having 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 24" (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:

Epigaea repens on www.carolinanature.com

Epigaea repens at the University of Connecticut Plant Database

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

Epigaea repens at the Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Epigaea repens at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Epigaea repens at Botanical.com

Epigaea repens on

Epigaea repens on the Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

Epigaea repens at the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

Epigaea repens on eFloras

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

4/24/2021 · Green Point, Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Phippsburg, Maine
≈ 4½ × 4" (11 × 10 cm)

1/19/2021 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine

4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine
≈ 6 × 4½" (14 × 11 cm)

4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts
≈ 4½ × 4" (11 × 10 cm)

4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine
≈ 7 × 4" (16 × 10 cm)

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 L. var. glabrifolia Fernald

Epigaea repens description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 14 Aug 2021.

2/17/2012 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 9 × 6" (21 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain

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

4/28/2014 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hampshire
≈ 7 × 5" (17 × 13 cm)

9/13/2021 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine

10/5/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 4½" (13 × 11 cm)

5/8/2021 · Devil’s Back Trail, Orr’s Island, Maine
≈ 6 × 4½" (14 × 12 cm)

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

4/19/2021 · Center Pond Preserve, Phippsburg, Maine
≈ 6 × 4½" (14 × 12 cm)

1/19/2021 · Point Lookout, Lincolnville, Maine

4/23/2021 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine
≈ 4 × 2½" (10 × 7 cm)

4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 3½" (12 × 9.2 cm)

Range:

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