Trailing Arbutus

Epigaea repens L., Trailing Arbutus is one of the first plants to bloom in our area in north central Wisconsin. This pic does not show it but the blossoms are often a pale pink and they have a beautiful scent. It is a trailing perenial with oval leathery leaves. The tubular five lobed flowers are in clusters. This member of the Heath family contains arbutin which is a urinary antiseptic but it hydrolyzes to hydroquinone which is toxic.

American Indians used leaf tea for kidney disorders as do some folk remedies. It is a plant I always look for as a sign of spring but I have never used it medicinaly and do not recommend it.

WELCOME TO OUR FOREST HOUSE BLOG!

We are just getting started on this project so please be paitient. I loaded a few pics even though only one of them is a herb. The third pic is of Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense L., which we have been trying to find for years. We will be trying to propagate it either from root cuttings or seed.

Center is a yellow violet, not sure which one as there are several native to this area. Top is Marsh-Marigold,or Cowslip, Caltha palustris L.