Fetterbush
Lyonia lucida
Ericaceae


Landscape Uses:

Accent shrub.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Native plant nurseries in central and northern Florida. Available in Lake Worth at Amelia's SmartyPlants (561-540-6296).
Description:
Medium erect shrub. Leaves shiny green.
Height:
About 6-8 feet in height. Usually about as broad as tall.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Southeastern United States south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties.
Habitats:
Pinelands and swamps.
Soils:
Seasonally inundated to moist, well-drained sandy or sandy-organic soils, with humusy top layer, acid pH.
Nutritional Requirements:
Moderate to low; it prefers soils with organic content, but will still grow reasonably well in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
Moderate to high; plants growing in extremely dry soils may die during extended periods of drought.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
Pale to deep pinkish or almost red.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Spring.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous capsule.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Provides some food and moderate amounts of cover for wildlife.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.


George D. Gann
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton