Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

trailing arbutus Ericaceae Epigaea repens L. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet play symbol: EPRE2
Leaf: Alternate, evergreen, ovate to nearly oval, hairy margins, 2 to 3 inches long, heart-shaped base and somewhat thickened, shiny dark green above, a bit lighter and hairy beneath.
Flower: Perfect, white, pink to nearly red, 5 petals, up to 1/2 inch across, groups of 3 to 5, very fragrant, appearing in early to mid-spring.
Fruit: Berry-like, round capsule, 1/2 inch across, pale yellow-orange, ripens in late summer.
Twig: Basically not present, nearly prostrate stems are reddish brown, hairy and slightly shreddy; buds with loose green scales.
Form: Low growing, creeping woody herb, large leaves are mostly all that is visible.

trailing arbutus leaf image
trailing arbutus flower image
trailing arbutus fruit image
trailing arbutus twig image
trailing arbutus bark image
trailing arbutus form image
trailing arbutus map image

Additional Range Information: Epigaea repens is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
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