Virginia Tech Dendrology

coast leucothoe Ericaceae Leucothoe axillaris (Lam.) D. Don symbol: LEAX
Leaf: Alternate, simple, oblong to lanceolate, 2 to 4 inches long, serrated or ciliated margin, evergreen, shiny green above, pale and lighter beneath.
Flower: White bell-shaped flowers (1/4 inch long) developing in leaf axils in long (2 to 3 inches) hanging racemes.
Fruit: Dry brown capsules each 1/4 inch across in long clusters.
Twig: Slender, green (may have some red), somewhat zigzag, with small blunt brown buds, few side branches.
Bark: Smooth, light brown.
Form: Sprawling, small shrub with arching stems, 2 to 4 feet tall.
Looks like: swamp doghobble - fetterbush lyonia - maleberry - sweetspire

Additional Range Information: Leucothoe axillaris is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information