Lyonia ferruginea Rusty Lyonia1
Edward F. Gilman2
Introduction
Rusty lyonia is a Florida native shrub or small tree that reaches a height of 10 to 20 feet. This evergreen plant is distinguished from other members of the heath family by a rusty pubescence that is present on all parts of the plant. The pubescence is especially prominent on the leaf underside and reportedly works to protect new growth from harmful insects. Lyonia ferruginea has leaves that are elliptic or oblanceolate in shape, and they are usually tipped with a sharp point. The fragrant flowers of this plant occur in small axillary clusters and are white in color. These flowers are followed by light brown capsules that are approximately ½ of an inch long. The bark on the crooked trunks and irregularly spreading branches is reddish brown, scaly and ridged.
General Information
Scientific name: Lyonia ferruginea
Pronunciation: lye-OH-nee-uh fair-roo-JIN-nee-uh
Common name(s): rusty lyonia, stagger bush
Family: Ericaceae
Plant type: tree
USDA hardiness zones: 8 through 10 (Fig. 1)
Figure 1.
Shaded area represents potential planting range.
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Planting month for zone 8: year round
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Planting month for zone 10: year round
Origin: native to Florida
Uses: border; foundation; reclamation plant; near a deck or patio
Availability: grown in small quantities by a small number of nurseries
Description
Height: 10 to 20 feet
Spread: 4 to 10 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: slow
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: oblanceolate
Leaf venation: none, or difficult to see
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: pleasant fragrance; spring flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: oval
Fruit length: less than .5 inch
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems; not particularly showy
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay;
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: usually not a problem
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
Rusty lyonia has no real outstanding ornamental traits, but can be used in poorly drained sites where other plants suffer.
Lyonia ferruginea needs to be planted in an area of the landscape that receives sun for most or all of the day. It is found in the wild in both poorly drained pine flatwoods and in well-drained sand pine or oak scrub. This plant is drought resistant and will grow on dry, acid, sandy soils; it is well-suited for use in unirrigated landscapes. Lyonia lucida (fetterbush) is closely related and adapted to similar soils.
Pests and Diseases
No major pests or diseases are normally seen on this plant.
A caterpillar may cause partial defoliation but will do no lasting harm.
Footnotes
This document is FPS-357, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October 2007. Revised May 2007. Reviewed June 2011. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.
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