Epigaea repens L.
Trailing arbutus
Trailing arbutus is native to parts of North America, central Europe, and western Africa.
Plants: These very low-growing plants, technically subshrubs, are 4–6″ (10–15 cm) high, and among the first to bloom in the spring. Remaining low to the ground, they spread to widths of about 2′ (60 cm).
Leaves: Oval, leathery, evergreen, often battered-looking, dark green, 1–3″ (2.5–7.6 cm) long.
Flowers: The fragrant flowers, about ½″ (1.3 cm) across, are white, often pink-tinged, sometimes pink or red. They appear early in April.
Fruits: Berries are yellowish-orange, with white interiors, about ⅛″ (5 mm) in diameter.
Habitats: Dry soil, woods.
Edibility: Plants are poisonous to some livestock, and may be to people as well. The flowers are sometimes added to salads, adding a sweet-sour taste.
Online References:
Epigaea repens L. var. glabrifolia Fernald
4/23/2016 · Big Tree/Porcupine Trail, Beaver, Hollis, Massachusetts 
10/15/2023 · Mt. Battie, Camden Hills State Park, Camden, Maine 
4/24/2021 · Green Point, Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, West Bath, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 4″ (11 × 10 cm) 
4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Ledges Trail, Crocker Pond, Labyrinth, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine · ≈ 8 × 6″ (19 × 14 cm) 
4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine · ≈ 5 × 4″ (12 × 10 cm) 
4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 4″ (11 × 10 cm) 
4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 10 cm) 
2/17/2012 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (21 × 15 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
4/28/2014 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 5″ (17 × 13 cm) 
A broad patch of sunlight helped this become my first forest floor wildflower bloom of the season. · 4/13/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine 
4/3/2010 · Mt. Battie (Elev. 780'), Camden, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 11 cm) 
10/5/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 4½″ (13 × 11 cm) 
5/8/2021 · Devil’s Back Trail, Orr’s Island, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (14 × 12 cm) 
4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) 
4/19/2021 · Center Pond Preserve, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (14 × 12 cm) 
4/3/2010 · Point Lookout, Lincolnville, Maine · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) 
9/16/2025 · Pownalborough Courthouse Trails, Dresden, Maine · ≈ 2 × 1′ (59 × 39 cm) 
4/23/2021 · Otter Brrok Preserve, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (10 × 7.1 cm) 
4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Ericales | Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others |
| Family | Ericaceae | Heath or heather family |
| Genus | Epigaea | Greek epi, “upon,” and ge, “the earth,” referring to trailing growth |
| Species | repens | Having creeping and rooting stems |
Epigaea repens description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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