Ericaceae
mountain doghobble
Leucothoe fontanesiana
Synonyms
Leucothoe axillaris var. editorum
Leucothoe catesbaei
Leucothoe editorum
Leucothoe walteri
Other Common Names
switch-ivy
Plant Type
Shrub (less than 10 ft)
Life Cycle
Perennial
Typical Size
2-6 ft. tall
4-8 ft. wide
Tolerant of
Occasional Flooding
Inolerant of
Dry Soil
Propagation
By seed, By division
Plant Propagation Notes
Use rooting hormone on semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings.
Plant Planting Notes
Plant in an area where this plant can be allowed to spread.
Plants/Diseases
Leaf spot may be an issue when there is poor air circulation.
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects
Leaves
Leaves alternate, lanceolate with serrate margins.
Flowers
Small, white, and fragrant bell-shaped flowers on racemes.
Fruit
Capsule.
Bark
New growth is red turning to green.
Toxicity
All parts of the plant are highly toxic if consumed.
USDA Hardiness Zones
4, 5, 6
Light Exposure
Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture
Moist
Soil Drainage
Well-drained, Poorly Drained
Soil pH
Acidic (less than 6.0)
Native in South Carolina?
Yes
Plant Native Habitat
Streambanks, ravines, and moist slopes often associated with Rhododendron maximum.
Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)
Secure (G5)
Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)
Not Listed
Distribution Notes
Common in the South Carolina piedmont and mountains. Absent from the coastal plain and sandhills.