Lyonia mariana (Fetterbush, Maleberry, Piedmont Staggerbush, Staggerbush) - 3 Photos - Lyonia/mariana/Ericaceae - Plant Profile

Attributes

The Cherokee use an infusion of the plant for toe itch, 'ground-itch' and ulcers

SE and Central U.SA., NC

: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , LA , MD , MO , NC , NJ , NY , OK , PA , RI , SC , TX , VA

Fetterbush is a nectar plant. Members of the genus Lyonia support the following specialized bees: Colletes productu and Melitta (Cilissa) melittoides.

Life Cycle:

Woody

Play Value:

Wildlife Food Source

Attracts Pollinators

Wildlife Cover/Habitat

Fruit

Fruit Description:

Oval 5 parted seed capsule. Displays from September to October.

Fruit Type:

Capsule

Fruit Color:

Brown/Copper

Black

Display/Harvest Time:

Fall

Flowers

Flower Description:

Small, white or pink, urn-shaped to tubular blooms that droop in terminal clusters. Blooms from April to May.

Flower Color:

Pink

White

Flower Inflorescence:

Umbel

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Flower Petals:

4-5 petals/rays

fused petals

Flower Shape:

Tubular

Urn

Flower Size:

< 1 inch

Leaves

Leaf Description:

Leathery green leaves with red fall color

Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Leaf Color:

Green

Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:

Red/Burgundy

Leaf Type:

Simple

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Shape:

Elliptical

Ovate

Obovate

Leaf Margin:

Entire

Hairs Present:

Yes

Leaf Feel:

Leathery

Poisonous to Humans

Poison Symptoms:

Signs of Toxicity occur usually within six hours of consuming the plant. Symptoms include lack of coordination, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, weakness, muscular spasms, watering of eyes and nose, slow pulse, colic, ataxia, depression, sweating, tingling of skin, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and sometimes even death. Toxicity in sheep, goats, cattle, and horses is most likely to occur in late winter or early spring when other forage is not available. Livestock are found down, unable to stand with their head weaving from side to side.

Poison Toxic Principle:

Andromedotoxin, Grayanotoxins

Poison Severity:

High

Causes Contact Dermatitis:

No

Poison Part:

Leaves

Flowers

Whole Plant Traits

Plant Type:

Shrub