Ground laurel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ground laurel |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Epigaea
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| Species: |
repens
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The Epigaea repens, also known as the mayflower or trailing arbutus, is a small, low-growing plant. It spreads out along the ground and is a type of shrub. This plant belongs to the Ericaceae family, which includes many beautiful flowering plants. You can find it growing in eastern North America, from Newfoundland in Canada all the way down to Florida in the United States. It also grows west to Kentucky and the Northwest Territories.
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What Does the Mayflower Look Like?
This plant grows slowly and spreads out low to the ground. It likes places that are moist and shady. It also prefers soil that is acidic and rich in humus (decayed leaves and organic matter). You often find it growing in forests where oak trees are common.
Its stems are woody, and its leafy branches are covered with tiny, rust-colored hairs. The leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are oval-shaped with rounded bases. These leaves stay green all year round, so they are called evergreen. The top of the leaves is smooth, while the underside might have some hairs. They grow on short stems that also have rusty hairs.
The Mayflower's Flowers
The flowers of the mayflower are usually pale pink, but they can sometimes be almost white. They are very fragrant, meaning they smell lovely! Each flower is about 1.5 centimeters (or 0.5 inches) wide when fully open. They grow in clusters at the ends of the branches.
Each flower has five main parts. It has five dry, overlapping leaf-like parts called sepals at its base. The main flower part, called the corolla, is shaped like a slender tube that opens into five equal parts. Inside the flower, there are five stamens, which produce pollen. There is also one pistil, which is the female part of the flower. The pistil has a tall, thin style and a five-lobed stigma at the top, which collects pollen.
The name Epigaea means "upon the earth." This name perfectly describes how this plant grows, spreading out low on the ground.
Mayflower as a Symbol
The Epigaea repens is an important plant in some places. It is the official floral emblem for both Nova Scotia, a province in Canada, and the state of Massachusetts in the United States. In Massachusetts, it is against the law to dig up a mayflower. If someone is caught doing so, they can be fined $50.
How Native Americans Used the Mayflower
Native American tribes have used the mayflower for different purposes for a long time.
The Algonquin people used a special liquid made from the leaves to help with kidney problems.
The Cherokee tribe would boil the plant to make a drink. They used this to help with stomach pain and to treat diarrhea in children. They also used a similar drink for kidney issues and chest problems. Sometimes, they mixed it with other plants to help with indigestion.
The Iroquois tribe also used the plant. They made a mix of plants to help with pain during childbirth. They also used a boiled mix for rheumatism, which is pain in joints and muscles. A drink made from the leaves helped them with indigestion. They also used a drink made from the whole plant, or just its roots, stems, and leaves, for kidney problems.
The Forest Potawatomi tribe considers the mayflower their special tribal flower. They believe it came directly from their god.
