Leucothoe fontanesiana, also known as the highland doghobble,[1] fetter-bush,[2] mountain doghobble or switch ivy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to the southeastern United States. It is an erect evergreen shrub growing to 1–2 m (3–7 ft) tall by 3 m (10 ft) broad, with laurel-like glossy leaves 6–16 cm (2–6 in) long, and pendent axillary racemes of urn-shaped flowers in spring.[3][4]
| Leucothoe fontanesiana | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Leucothoe |
| Species: | L. fontanesiana |
| Binomial name | |
| Leucothoe fontanesiana (Steud.) Sleumer | |
This plant is a calcifuge and requires a shaded position in acid soil. The cultivar 'Rollissonii'[5] has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6]
L. fontanesiana has been marked as a pollinator plant, supporting and attracting bees and butterflies[7]
Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Leucothoe fontanesiana |
|
| Andromeda fontanesiana |
|