staggerbush Ericaceae Lyonia ferruginea

Leaf:Alternate, simple, evergreen, thickened, elliptical to obovate, 1 to 2 1/2 inches long, entire to slightly wavy margin, revolute, blue-green above, much paler and rusty scaly beneath.
Flower:Small (1/4 inch), urn-shaped, 5 white, fused petals with numerous light brown scales, borne singly or in small groups in the leaf axils of last years growth, appear in spring.
Fruit:Dry reddish brown, 5-valved capsules, 1/4 inch long; mature in late summer, persistent.
Twig:Slender, green but generally densely covered in rusty brown scales, leaf scar with a single bundle scar.
Bark:Gray-brown and becoming finely scaly.
Form:Sprouts readily and forms thickets reaching up to 20 feet in height. Larger specimens develop rigid twisted branches and an irregular crown.

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