Common name: Partridgeberry, Twinberry, Two-eyed Berry, Squawvine, Running Box
Family: Rubiaceae, Madder
Height x width: 1' x 12-24"
Growth rate: slow to moderate
Foliage: evergreen pairs of small, round, dark green often variegated with white, on stems along the ground
Flowers: white or light pink in pairs, fragrant, like small trumpets with 4 sharp-pointed lobes; late spring with bright red fruits in late summer
Hardiness: zones 4-9
Soil: moist, organic, acidic pH 4-6 prefered, tolerates most
Light: part to full shade
Pests and Problems: none serious
Landscape habit, uses: groundcover, berries for ground-feeding birds, terarria indoors
Other interest: native to eastern North America; common names from berries eaten by partridges, berries produced in pairs, and use of the plant by Native Americans to ease childbirth; genus named for Dr. John Mitchell, an 18th century botanist in Virginia and correspondant with Linnaeus
Other culture: easy, best growth is on cool soils in spring when temperature is below 60°F and before tree leaves have emerged
Propagation: seed, division of rooted stems or rooting stems
Related Species:
f. leucocarpa of the species has white fruit
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