Woody > Chamaedaphne > Chamaedaphne calyculata > Chamaedaphne calyculata
Chamaedaphne calyculata
Leatherleaf
Origin: It is part of the Circumboreal Region plant which covers most of northern Canada, northeastern United States of America, and it also includes parts of northern Russia, Japan, China and central to northern Europe. It was introduced into cultivation in 1748.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Chamaedaphne calyculata is a unique, little shrub that specifically inhabits wetlands like bogs and swamps. It serves as shelter for birds like mallards and food for grazing animals like deer and moose. Although the leaves can be poisonous to humans if not brewed properly, some Aboriginal groups used to brew a tea called 'Sun-Tea'. It does not have a lot value in the landscape as it is not pollution tolerant, but given the right conditions it can be a nice addition to a rock or bog style garden.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Ericaceae |
| Genus |
| Chamaedaphne |
| Species |
| calyculata |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 3 - 6 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 3a - 5b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H4 - H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -40 - (-37) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -40 - (-35) |
| Height |
| 1 - 1.5 m |
| Spread |
| 1 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| An evergreen shrub that grows sparsely along the ground of most wetlands, bogs and swamps. It has reddish-brown bark and wiry, thin branches. It has dark green leaves with undersides of a paler green. White urn-shaped flowers can be seen in April until June and small brown fruit capsules persist on the plant all year. The plant is short-lived with a lifespan of around 20 years. |
| Landscape |
| Although it is native to North America, it is not often used in gardens. However if the proper conditions are met, it can be a good shrub for rock or bog gardens – this is difficult to do because of the amount of moisture these shrubs require to thrive. |
| Cultivation |
| The conditions needed for this plant to grow are very specific and the plant cannot thrive if the requirements are not met. It needs very moist-to-wet acidic soils with a pH level of 4-6 and full sunlight. It can tolerate partial sun, but this may compromise its lifespan. It is not suited for urban use due to its strict needs for moist soils and it does not tolerate pollution. |
| Shape |
| Grows from many small stems. It is a low mounded shrub that can sometimes appear tangled or matted-looking. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| This shrub is named after its tough, leathery leaves. The undersides of these leaves are densely covered with tiny brown coloured scales and as the leaves grow further along the branch they become smaller in size. It has conspicuous white urn-shaped flowers that nod along the branches. It will only be seen thriving in wetlands with acidic soils. It is native to North America but can also be found in parts of Europe and Asia. |
| Pests |
| There are no serious threats from pests or disease, but it is often eaten by grazing animals. Many of United States' wetlands have been drained or converted, which places all bog species in danger of losing their habitat. |
| Habitat |
| It thrives in any kind of wetland – swamps, bogs, river edges and flood plains because of its need for acidic and very moist soils. To reach its full potential it needs to be in an area with full sun. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| When young, the bark is a reddish-brown colour and is thin and glamorous. Once aged, the bark will fade to grey and exfoliate slightly. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| The buds are tiny, usually only 5-10 mm in length, have 5 scales and are brown in colour. |
| Leaf Description |
| The leaves are grown in an alternate pattern and the shapes can range from oblong to oblanceolate to elliptical. They usually measure 1-5 cm in length and 0.5-2 cm wide. The leaves are adorned with a pinnate venation and very finely-toothed edges. The leaves get smaller the further they are along the branches. They are a dark green colour on top and the underside is a much paler green. They turn a purplish colour in the winter. The upper surface is lightly dotted with brown colour scales while the underside is densely covered with them. New growth has tiny fine hairs. |
| Flower Description |
| From April to June, small, white urn-shaped flowers hang from the leaf axil usually sized at 5-7 mm. The flowers have 5 coppery-coloured sepals that are triangular-shaped. They are monoecious, with male and female reproductive organs on the same plant. |
| Fruit Description |
| Its small, woody fruit are 2.5 mm long with a 6 mm diameter. They are round, dehiscent capsules that are brown or tan in colour and contain many seeds. The fruit has 5 compartments and have a centre depression. They are very persistent, lasting on the branch all year after they have matured in the late summer. |
| Colour Description |
| The leaves will stay green colour for most of the year but turn a purplish colour in the winter season. The bark colour changes with age. When young, it is a reddish brown colour, but once it ages the bark will fade to a grey colour. The flowers are white with copper coloured sepals and the fruit is either brown- or tan-coloured. |
| Texture Description |
| It has smooth bark when young which becomes rougher once it begins to exfoliate with age. The leaves are tough and leathery and new growth will form tiny hairs. |
| Notable Specimens |
| No notable specimens, but the cultivar 'Verdant' can be found at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis Missouri, United States of America. |
| Propagation |
| There are three methods that can be used when propagating this shrub: cutting, division, and seed. The most difficult method is cutting. The process requires a nearly ripe, 4-5 cm long shoot with a heel. Planting in August has yielded the best results. To encourage the cutting to grow more vigorously, it is recommended to prune the plant lightly after flowering. Sow the seed in February in a lime-free compost and do not let the compost dry out. The process can be long, taking between 1-12 months, but the germination time can be shortened with a 4 week cold stratification period. Once large enough the plant can be potted individually and should be grown inside for its first winter. They can then be planted in their permanent places in early spring to late summer. The most successful form of propagation is division. It is a simple process that involves the division of a plant in early autumn and relocating each divided clump to create new plants. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| When boiled, the leaves can release a toxin called 'andromedotoxin', but if prepared correctly the leaves can be used to brew a tea called 'Sun-Tea'. It can also be used for naturalizing, stabilizing and re-vegetating pond edges and bogs. Some species of birds including mallards and grouse use it as nesting and cover. |
References
Dirr, Michael A. Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs 1st Edition (2011):185 - 186. Newcomb, L. Newcomb's Wildflower Guide 1st Edition (1977): 292.
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