Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Ericales>Ericaceae>Lyonia lucida (Lam.) K. Koch

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)

A common shrub of moist habitats in the Coastal Plain. The leaves are smooth, thick, leathery, and evergreen. The paler midrib and margins help make them easy to recognize. Devilwood (Osmanthus americanus) and Glossy Privet (Ligustrum lucidum) have slightly similar leaves, but they're opposite, unlike the alternate leaves of Shining Fetterbush.

Scotland Co., NC 4/20/05.

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)

The pinkish flowers are urceolate (urn-shaped).

Scotland Co., NC 4/20/05.

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)

Confusingly, Fetterbush refers to several different species; others include Eubotrys racemosa (Coastal Fetterbush), Eubotrys recurva (Mountain Fetterbush), and Pieris floribunda (Evergreen Mountain Fetterbush).

Pender Co., NC 4/23/06.

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) fruits

The capsules are ovoid in shape.

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) fruits

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) fruits

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) fruits

Open capsules remaining from the previous year.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

More information:
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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