Phyllodoce

Illustrator: Yevonn Wilson-Ramsey

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

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).

Selected References

Watson, T. J. 1977b. An analysis of populations formed by hybridization between Phyllodoce empetriformis and P. glanduliflora (Ericaceae). Rhodora 79: 1–16.

Lower Taxa

Phyllodoce aleutica, Phyllodoce breweri, Phyllodoce caerulea, Phyllodoce empetriformis, Phyllodoce glanduliflora

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