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Partridgeberry

Mitchella repens

Other common name(s):

Twinberry, Running Box, Pigeon Plum

Family:

Rubiaceae (Madder Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

0.25
to
0.5
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
0.75
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Acid, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

High

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fruit

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Grows best in rich humus and acidic forest soils. Needs well drained moist soils in shade to partly shady areas. Stems form roots when they touch the ground; known as “layering”. Propagation: Root division, layering, softwood cutting, seeds.

Comments

Blooms May-October. Low growing, creeping, evergreen ground cover. Everything about the plant is dainty. The leaves are small and rounded. The flowers are tubular, fragrant, and pinkish-white and bloom in pairs. Red berries are consumed by quail, grouse, turkey, and small mammals. Important wildlife resource.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 103. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MIRE. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Mitchella+repens&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=22193&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=35063#null

Get in Touch

Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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