| Mountain Fetterbush is a medium-sized evergreen shrub in the same family as Mountain-Laurel, which it resembles when not in bloom. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 4/12/09.
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| Mountain Fetterbush has a fairly small range, primarily in the southern Appalachians. In North Carolina, it is found at higher elevations in the central Mountains and on a few monadnock mountains in the Piedmont. Like its larger and more common relative Mountain-Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), the leaves of Pieris are very poisonous. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| Note the tan-colored hairs. The branches, petioles, and leaf margins are hairy, unlike the smooth leaves and branches of Mountain-Laurel. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| The evergreen leaves are finely toothed. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 4/12/09.
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| The leaves are paler yellow-green beneath. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 4/12/09.
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| Numerous small scentless white flowers are borne on terminal racemes. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 4/12/09.
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| The flowers are triangular, with broad bases and narrow openings, which point down. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 4/12/09.
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| Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 4/12/09.
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| Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 4/12/09.
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| The flowers have prominent "ribs". Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 4/12/09.
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| By May the flowers are replaced by capsules. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| Ripening capsules. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| The dry capsules split open when fully ripe. These are from the previous year. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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| The bark is somewhat shreddy, like that of Mountain-Laurel. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 4/12/09.
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| Undulating branching pattern. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.
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More information:
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
USDA PLANTS database
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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