Phyllodoce

Salisbury

Parad. Lond. 1: plate 36. 1806 ,.

Common names: Mountain heather
Etymology: A sea-nymph in Greek mythology, allusion obscure
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 8. Treatment on page 476. Mentioned on page 375.

Shrubs. Stems spreading to erect, (much-branched); young branches usually glandular-hairy, older branches glabrous or puberulent, (roughened peglike projections remaining after fall of leaves, exfoliating). Leaves persistent, alternate; petiole present; blade coriaceous, margins entire, serrulate, or glandular-serrulate, (appearing revolute, abaxial surface less than 1/3 visible). Inflorescences terminal, umbellate, corymbiform, or spikelike clusters, 2–30-flowered, sometimes flowers solitary; perulae absent. Flowers bisexual, radially symmetric, sepals 5, connate basally; petals 5, connate for 1/2+ their lengths, corolla deciduous, urceolate, campanulate, or cylindric; stamens (8–)10, included or exserted; anthers not awned, dehiscent by terminal slits; ovary 5-locular; style included or exserted; stigma capitate. Fruits capsular, broadly ovoid to globose, dehiscence basipetally septicidal. Seeds 100+, ellipsoid, narrowly winged, not tailed; testa smooth. x = 12.

Distribution

North America, Eurasia.

Discussion

Species 8 (5 in the flora).

Key

1 Corollas yellow or yellowish green > 2
1 Corollas purple, pink, or white > 3
2 Corollas not glandular; filaments glabrous. Phyllodoce aleutica
2 Corollas glandular; filaments hairy Phyllodoce glanduliflora
3 Corollas urceolate, constricted at mouth, sepals glandular abaxially, margins not ciliate. Phyllodoce caerulea
3 Corollas campanulate, not constricted at mouth; sepals glabrous abaxially, margins ciliate > 4
4 Stamens exserted. Phyllodoce breweri
4 Stamens included. Phyllodoce empetriformis