Trailing arbutus is native to parts of North America, central Europe, and western Africa.
Identification: These very low-growing shrubs, 4-6″ (10-15 cm) high, are
among the first to bloom in the spring. Remaining low to the ground, they spread to widths of about 2′ (60 cm).
The fragrant flowers, about ½″ (1.3 cm) across, are red, pink, or most commonly white. Leaves are oval, leathery,
evergreen, often battered-looking, dark green, 1-3″ (2.5-7.6 cm) long.
Berries are yellowish-orange, with white interiors, about ⅛″ (5 mm) in diameter.
Edibility: Plants are poisonous to some livestock, and may
be to people as well. The flowers are sometimes added to salads, adding
a sweet-sour taste.
4/21/2013 · Crow Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
4/28/2014 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
A broad patch of sunlight helped this become my first forest floor wildflower bloom of the season. · 4/13/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine