Lyonia mariana aka Staggerbush

Lyonia mariana is a woody shrub in the heath family, Ericaceae. People call it fetterbush, maleberry, or staggerbush. It grows wild in the central and eastern United States. Its range includes New York, Florida, Texas, and Ohio. In North Carolina, it grows on the coastal plain. Few grow in the state's Piedmont and mountains. Some northern states list it as endangered. Those state lists do not assess its status worldwide.

The shrub grows upright and has several stems. It spreads through rhizomes, which are stems that grow underground. NC State's main account calls it deciduous: it sheds its leaves. Its green leaves turn red or burgundy in fall. The leaves are simple, with one blade each. They grow in turn along each side of the stems. They have smooth edges, pointed tips, and a leathery feel. Fine hairs cover the egg-shaped leaves. The leaf buds are red. Young shoots grow in a zigzag pattern. They may have soft hairs or almost none. Brown or reddish bark forms long splits on its surface.

White or pink flowers hang in groups at shoot tips. Their joined petals form tubes or small urns. Most blooms appear from April through May. Plants on sites that burned not long ago may also bloom in fall. Flowers form on growth from the year before. Prune after bloom so you do not cut off next year's flowers. The oval seed capsules have five parts. These brown or black seed cases appear in September and October. They split when ripe and are not edible.

Grow this shrub in acid soil that stays moist. Sandy or peaty ground suits it, from moist to wet sites. It also grows in loam if the soil stays moist. NC State lists clay as a soil it can grow in. The plant accepts full sun and filtered shade. Its listed range spans USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. It suits hedges, borders, and woodland gardens. It also fits wet areas left to grow in a wild style. Its flowers give nectar to butterflies and other pollinators. The bright fall leaves add interest in another season.

NC State reports no known diseases or insect pests. The main risk to people and animals is poisoning. The plant has two kinds of toxins: andromedotoxin and grayanotoxins. Eating it can cause severe illness and sometimes death. Cats, dogs, horses, and grazing livestock are at risk. Reported signs include vomiting and weakness. They also include poor control of movement and convulsions, or fits. Past Cherokee use does not show that medicinal use is safe.