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LEATHERLEAF

NOMENCLATURE

Other Names:

Scientific Name: Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench

 Plant Family: Ericaceae

GENERAL INFORMATION

Botanical Description: woody, evergreen shrub

 Stems: 2 - 5 feet long, branching

 Leaves: alternate, short petioled, oblong to elliptic shape,1 - 2.5 inches long, scaly, green above and distinct white to rusty brown underneath

 Roots:

Flowers: white, 0.25 inch long, tubular bell-shaped, nodding in linear clusters 2 - 5 inches long, bloom April - June

 Seeds: Found in a small (1/16 to 3/16 inch) globular capsule.

 Seedling:

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

LIFE CYCLE

Reproduction: perennial

Propagation: cuttings, seed

 Dispersal: Introduced as a cutting in new plantings.

DISTRIBUTION

State: Common throughout Wisconsin.

National: Found in bogs in Alaska, along Canadian border and as far southeast as Illinois to North Carolina.

 Origin:

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Prefers neutral to acidic soils. Common native shrub in peat bogs and marshes. Potentially aggressive invader of cranberry beds, producing a solid monotype. Once used as an indicator species for soils that would be suitable for cranverry production. Frequently a relic in old cranberry bogs.

SCOUTING PROCEDURE/ET

While scouting a cranberry bed for disease and insect pests, identify weed populations as they arise. Note the specie(s) of weed present as well as the population level relative to field area. Example: 30% leatherleaf, 10% boneset and joe-pye weed mix.

REFERENCES

Dana, M. 1987. Cranberry Weeds in Wisconsin. Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison, Wisconsin. p. 14.

 

Gleason, H. A. 1952. Illustrated Flora of the United States and Adjacent Canada. Vol 233 Lancaster Press, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. p. 18.

Kummer, L. D., T. G. Dittl, and T. D. Planer. 1993. Wisconsin Cranberry Weeds. Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. p. 21.

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