Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Ericales>Ericaceae>Zenobia pulverulenta (Bartram ex Willdenow) Pollard

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) leaves

Zenobia is an uncommon small to medium-sized shrub of pocosins and other moist areas in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. The leaves and stems may be quite glaucous (covered with a whitish waxy bloom). The leaves have crenate margins, unlike other simliar ericaceous shrubs such as Staggerbush (Lyonia mariana).

Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) flowers

The cup-shaped flowers, which appear in late spring, are very fragrant, giving it the common name Honeycups.

Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) flowers

Zenobia is a monotypic genus endemic to the Coastal Plain of the southeastern US from Virginia to Georgia -- there are no other species of Zenobia.

Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) flowers

Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) leaves

Plants may be green instead of glaucous. This plant was near the very glaucous one photographed above, but in a shadier spot.

Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) leaf

Leaf detail.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) fruit capsules

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) fruit capsules

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) fruit capsules

The fruit capsules are oblate — spherical but flattened at the ends, broadest around the middle.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) fruit capsules

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) fruit capsules

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

Zenobia, Honeycups (Zenobia pulverulenta) bark

The bark is shreddy, like that of most other ericaceous shrubs.

Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

More information:
Ketzel Levine's Talking Plants
NC State
Plantbuzz
USDA PLANTS database

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