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