Mitchella repens L. Partridgeberry, squaw vine
Partridgeberry is a common North American native. The genus, Mitchella, was assigned by Linnaeus himself to honor Dr. John Mitchell, the physician who developed a treatment for yellow fever. Identification: This very low-lying, rather delicate vine is rarely more than 2″ (5 cm) in height and up to 1′ (30 cm) long. The stems can form new plants, leading to larger colonies. Leaves are opposite and oval or heart-shaped, about ½″ (1.3 cm) long, with a prominent light green central vein. Each leaf is dark and shiny on top, pale and yellowish below. Flowers are tubular, with four sharp-tipped petals, white or slightly pink, ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) long and ⅜″ (9.5 mm) in diameter. They appear from May to July. One red, misshapen berry ¼-½″ (6.3-12 mm) in diameter—actually two fused berries—grows for each pair of flowers. The berries and foliage of this evergreen last throughout the winter. Each berry contains 8 seeds. Thanks to Hélène Boulianne for correctly identifying these, which were originally identified as the similar-appearing Gaultheria procumbens. |
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Here is a comparison of the two: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gaultheria procumbens |
You are here Mitchella repens |
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Common Name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plant | Low, spreading plant, typically 4-6″ (10-15 cm) tall, sometimes as low as 1″ (2.5 cm). | Low-lying vine is rarely more than 2″ (5 cm) in height and up to 1′ (30 cm) long. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers | Flowers are about ¼″ (6.3 mm) long, white, urn-shaped, resembling blueberry flowers. | Tubular, with four sharp-tipped petals, white or slightly pink, ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) long and ⅜″ (9.5 mm) in diameter. They appear from May to July. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leaves | Oval, evergreen, dark in color, ¾-1¾″ (2-5 cm) long and ⅜-¾″ (1-2 cm) across. When broken, the leaves smell of wintergreen. | Opposite and oval or heart-shaped, about ½″ (1.3 cm) long, with a prominent light green central vein. Each leaf is dark and shiny on top, pale and yellowish below. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fruit | Fruits are bright red, round, ¼-½″ (6.3-12 mm) in diameter, and hard (like an apple). | One red, misshapen berry ¼-½″ (6.3-12 mm) in diameter—actually two fused berries—grows for each pair of flowers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Range/ Zones | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Wild | Wild |
Edibility: Some indigenous Americans made a tea from the leaves. The berries are edible but nearly tasteless, with a barely perceptible hint of wintergreen and a touch of cranberry.
Online References:
The U.S. Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers site
The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site
Mitchella repens description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Oct 2023.
Range: