Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Rubiales>Rubiaceae>Mitchella repens L.

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)

This petite evergreen slightly woody groundcovering vine or subshrub is fairly common throughout North Carolina, though more common in the Mountains than the Piedmont or Coastal Plain.

Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)

The four-parted flowers, which grow in pairs, have white-hairy petals.

Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)

Dare Co., NC 6/1/07.

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)

Dare Co., NC 6/1/07.

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)

Another groundcover with opposite evergreen leaves in Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor), which is much more rambunctious.

Greenville, NC 5/5/06.

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) berry

Each pair of flowers produces a single fused bright red berry.

Columbus Co., NC 9/28/2013.

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) berry

Wilkes Co., NC 6/15/08.

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)

Partridgeberry normally rambles along the ground, but this one was falling down a hillside.

Wilkes Co., NC 6/15/08.