Educational Story
The Fetterbush, Lyonia lucida, is a woody evergreen shrub that can be found growing in dry uplands as well as edges of wooded wetlands. It glossy green leaves give it common name of Shinyleaf or Shiny Lyonia. Fetterbush is abundant in the Central Florida Pine Flatwood ecosystems. Its small, light pink, bell-shaped flowers are important for pollinators, and are typical of flowers in the heath family. The dark brown fruits are consumed by birds and small mammals. Fetterbush has a large underground root mass which enables it to resprout quickly following fire.
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Gardening Facts
| Scientific Name: | Lyonia lucida |
| Common Name: | Fetterbush, Staggerbush, Shiny Lyonia |
| Description of facts and concepts: | Flowering shrubby plant; |
| Seed or division information: | The fruits capsules dry to brown and split open, to release the mature seeds. Can also be propagated by cuttings or root division. |
| Date of flower’s bloom (Month and week): | Winter, spring, summer |
| Ecoregion: | Pinelands |
| Color of Flower: | Pink/red |
| Height: | 3-6 feet, but can reach 12 feet |
| Spread: | 3 to 6 feet |
| Family: | Ericaceae (heath) |
| Soil Type: Base to Acidic | Acidic (pH<6) |
| Soil: Dry to Wet | Moist to sandy soils |
| Light: Sun to Shade | Part shade |
| Zone | 8A-10B |