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Stuart, Will

Zenobia pulverulenta

Zenobia pulverulenta (W. Bartram ex Willd.) Pollard

Honeycup, Dusty Zenobia

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s): Zenobia cassinefolia

USDA Symbol: zepu3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A small mound-shaped shrub, 3-6 ft., with tardily deciduous or semi-evergreen leaves. Arching twigs are reddish and the red-brown bark exfoliates. Wavy-edged, oval leaves are leathery and silvery-gray, becoming reddish-yellow and finally purple late in the season. Showy, one-sided, axillary flower clusters hold fragrant, bell-shaped, white blossoms.

No serious disease or insect problems.

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Leaf: Gray-Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: GA , NC , SC , VA
Native Distribution: Primarily s.e. VA to n.e. SC
Native Habitat: Damp, sandy or peaty pine barrens; bay forests; hillside bogs

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Wet sands, peats & mucks.
Conditions Comments: No serious disease or insect problems.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Low.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Difficult to root from cuttings but comes readily from seed planted shallowly in fine-textured soil in the spring.
Seed Treatment: Stratification for 8 weeks prior to sowing improves germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL				FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
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 Zenobia pulverulenta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Zenobia pulverulenta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Zenobia pulverulenta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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