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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

Best in rich soil in shady location that retains moisture. Needs a lot of water. Propagation: Root division, Softwood cuttings, Seeds.

Comments

Blooms May-October. Low growing evergreen ground cover. Tiny fragrant white flowers bloom in pairs. Red berries are consumed by Grouse, Quail, Turkey, Skunks, & White-Footed Mice.

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

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