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Leiophyllum buxifolium
Leiophyllum buxifolium (Bergius) Elliott
Sandmyrtle, Sand-myrtle
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonym(s): Dendrium buxifolium, Kalmia buxifolia, Leiophyllum buxifolium var. hugeri, Leiophyllum buxifolium var. prostratum, Leiophyllum hugeri, Leiophyllum lyonii
USDA Symbol: lebu
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A small, delicate, evergreen shrub of great variability in the wild. Low, upright, widely branching, with crowded, leathery leaves and small, pink or pinkish-white flowers in dense clusters. Usually a dense shrub 1 1/2-3 ft. high in cultivation. Slender stems bear dark, lustrous green leaves which become bronzy in cold weather. Rose-colored flower buds open to white flowers tipped with pink in small, terminal clusters.
The genus name is from the Greek leios (“smooth”) and phyllon (“leaf”). The species name also refers to the leaves, which are similar to those of boxes (Buxus).
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: May , Jun
Distribution
USA: GA , KY , NC , NJ , PA , SC , TNNative Distribution: Mts. & lower piedmont of the Carolinas; also barrens of NJ
Native Habitat: Dry, sandy barrens; thin, moist mt. woods
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, acid sand/peat soil.
Conditions Comments: A variable species, usually divided into three varieties. Does not tolerate drought. No serious disease or insect problems.
Propagation
Description: Increase with seeds under a mist tent, root cuttings, layering, or stem cuttings.Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Evergreen plants safe for horses in Louisville, Kentucky
May 16, 2010
I have a horse farm in Louisville, Ky. I want to plant evergreen plants along the walls in front of the horse barns. What types of plants are not toxic to horses can I use? Thank you so much for all y...
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National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Leiophyllum buxifolium in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Leiophyllum buxifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Leiophyllum buxifolium
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-15Research By: TWC Staff