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Chamaedaphne calyculata (Leatherleaf)
Bloodworth, Stefan

Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench

Leatherleaf

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonyms: Cassandra calyculata var. angustifolia, Cassandra calyculata var. latifolia

USDA Symbol: chca2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A small, dense, mound-shaped shrub, to 3 ft. high, often spreading to form thickets. Leaves are dull, leathery, dark green and oval, becoming progressively smaller toward twig end. Foliage become purplish through the winter. Small, white, nodding, bell-shaped flowers hang from upper leaf axils. Round, reddish capsules follow, eventually turning brown and persisting several years.

One of the many evergreen members of the heath family, this species also occurs in Asia; it is typical of boggy wetlands and highly acidic sites. In Massachusetts, Leatherleaf colonies can expand radially at the rate of one foot per decade. The genus name is from the Greek chamai (on the ground) and daphne (laurel).

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Yellow-Green
Flower:
Fruit: Brown
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AK , CT , DE , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , VT , WI
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Lab. to AK, s. to DE, OH, n.w. IL, n. MN, c. Sask. & B.C.; also NC mts.
Native Habitat: Bogs; peaty swamps; wet meadows
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Fine, wet peats, mucks & sands.
Conditions Comments: Slow-growing and short-lived with no serious disease, insect or physiological problems. Plants in the extreme n.e. part of the range have much broader leaves and are distinguished as var. latifolia.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Low
Warning: Plant poisonous
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Chamaedaphne calyculata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Chamaedaphne calyculata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Chamaedaphne calyculata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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