Flower ID: IMG_5929.JPG-04-23-2021 Flower name (scientific): Epigaea repens Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) ep-ih-JEE-ah REH-penz Flower name (common): Trailing Arbutus Family name (common): Heath Family name (scientific): Ericaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin for above ground, and originally from the Greek for growing close to the ground. Specific epithet: From the Latin for creeping, referencing the low habit of the plant. Common name origin: The plant creeps or trails on the ground. Arbutus is Latin for a roughened fruit, probably referring to the fruit of Arbutus unedo the strawberry tree. Flower description: Size: 0.4 to 0.5 inches (10 to 13 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: white or pink. Other: flower arrangement, Spike Plant description: Size: 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) Stem hairy: Young stems hirsute-hispid, but may become glabrous with age. Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple. Size: Leaves up to about 8 cm long and up to about 5 cm wide. Color: medium to darker green. Hairy: both surfaces with long stiff hairs, but may become glabrate with age. Other: Shape: leaf, ovate-elliptic (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): April to May Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Forests, bogs, moist to dry, sandy or rocky soil, semi shade to shade. Fruit: Capsules globose about 5 to 8 mm in diameter. Seed: brown-colored, about 0.5 mm in length. Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: The Potawatomi treat this plant as a tribal flower. Smith relates a story told to him by a chief that relates to this flower (Smith, pp. 121-123, 1933). The Algonquin, Cherokee, and Iroquois used this plant for ailments such as kidney issues, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and labor pains (Moerman, pp. 211-212, 1998). Latitude: 44.794738 Longitude: -91.487823 Altitude: 255.20 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Portage, Price, Richland, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Vilas, Washburn, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): na Heterotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 6 heterotypic synonyms for this species. Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed