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Weyand, Phyllis
Andromeda polifolia L.
Bog rosemary, Bog-rosemary
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
USDA Symbol: anpo
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A low, evergreen shrub growing from 8 in to 3 ft. in height. The shrub does not have many branches, but many shrubs will grow together to form a clump. The small, firm, narrow leaves are blue-green. Leaf margins roll under. Several small, bell-shaped, pink or white flowers occur together in a curved umbel at the tip of a branch.
Bog Rosemary is one of several heath shrubs often found in boggy areas in association with Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia), Bog Laurel (K. polifolia), and Labrador Tea (Ledum spp.).
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , CT , ID , IL , IN , MA , ME , MI , MN , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , VT , WA , WI , WVCanada: BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Circumpolar in N. America, s. to Alt. & B.C.; reported from WA & Bonner Co., ID
Native Habitat: Acid bogs
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N), SPM(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Organic peats, sands and mucks.
Conditions Comments: Demands strongly acid soil. No serious disease or insect problems. Creeping rootstocks form large patches.
Benefit
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Toxic only in large quantities. Symptoms include watering of mouth, eyes, and nose, loss of energy, slow pulse, vomiting, low blood pressure, lack of coordination, convulsions, and progressive paralysis. Toxic Principle: Andromedotoxin. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Description: Propagation is by seeds or cuttings, though layering is easiest.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native plants to stop pond bank erosion
June 04, 2008
I recently purchased a home with a small pond in which a nearby stream daylights. The former owner placed large field stone around the pond and the small stream; however, the area around the pond and...
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Bibliography
Bibref 902 - Ex situ plant conservation : supporting species survival in the wild (2004) Guerrant, E. O.; K. Havens; M. MaunderSearch More Titles in Bibliography
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 pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Andromeda polifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Andromeda polifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Andromeda polifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2010-11-06Research By: TWC Staff
