Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens)

Trailing arbutus is a low matted shrub that forms a dense ground cover in rocky, acidic soils. Its range extends from southeast Canada to much of the eastern U.S., however it is fairly uncommon. This genus is interesting in that there are only three other species on earth, in Japan, Asia Minor and the Caucasus. Photo from near Kinzua, Pennsylvania. May 2002