Leucothoe fontanesiana

Leucothoe fontanesiana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Leucothoe
Species:
L. fontanesiana
Binomial name
Leucothoe fontanesiana

Leucothoe fontanesiana, also known as the highland doghobble,[1] fetter-bush,[2] mountain doghobble or switch ivy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to the southeastern United States. It is an erect evergreen shrub growing to 1–2 m (3–7 ft) tall by 3 m (10 ft) broad, with laurel-like glossy leaves 6–16 cm (2–6 in) long, and pendent axillary racemes of urn-shaped flowers in spring.[3][4]

This plant is a calcifuge and requires a shaded position in acid soil. The cultivar 'Rollissonii'[5] has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6]

L. fontanesiana has been marked as a pollinator plant, supporting and attracting bees and butterflies[7]

  1. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Leucothoe fontanesiana​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  2. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  4. ^ Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina: Mountain Doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana)
  5. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rollissonii'". Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 60. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  7. ^ "Planting Guides" (PDF). Pollinator.org. Retrieved 2022-01-29.