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bog rosemary

Scientific Name: Andromeda polifolia

Family: Ericaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: PA (bog-rosemary)

       

Bog Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia)

Considerations for Pets

  • Contains andromedotoxin, which can be released from the plant.
  • Has narrow, leathery leaves.

Considerations for Children

  • Contains andromedotoxin, which can be released from the plant.
  • Has narrow, leathery leaves.

Quirky Facts

  • Bog rosemary is named for its narrow, leathery leaves with white undersides, which resemble rosemary spice (Rosmarinus officinalis).
  • When in flower in the spring and summer, bog-rosemary is easily identified by its pink, urn-shaped flowers in clusters of 2-6, which often face downwards.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Andromeda polifolia
  • Common Names: Bog-rosemary, Marsh Rosemary, Marsh Andromeda, Blue Bog Rosemary, Downy Rosemary, Rosling
  • Family: Ericaceae (Heather Family)
  • Synonyms: Some andromedas have been re-classified under other names, such as leucothoe.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including northeastern North America, northern Europe, and Asia.
  • Found in moist to wet acidic peaty ground, most abundantly in lowland raised bogs but with scattered occurrences on upland peats.
  • Commonly found in boggy areas, particularly in association with Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata).
  • In Ireland, it is found on raised bogs.

Morphological Characteristics

  • A small evergreen shrub or sub-shrub, typically not exceeding 40-50 cm in height.
  • Low, creeping growth habit.
  • Features blue-green, narrow, leathery leaves with white undersides.
  • Produces hanging clusters of pink or white globular to urn-shaped flowers with white stalks, typically in clusters of 2-6.

Ecological Role

  • Found in sedge fen communities dominated by dwarf shrubs, sedges, and peat mosses.

Additional Information

  • Related to Rhododendrons and Azaleas and should be cared for in the same way.
  • Hardiness zone range 2, dislikes heat/humidity and suffers south of zone 6.

Further Information

  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society).
  • Dave's Garden.
  • Monrovia.
  • Oregon State University Extension.
  • Ontario Wildflowers.
  • Lowes.com
  • Amazon.co.uk
  • Wiktionary.