Sand-myrtle

Ledum buxifolium Bergius, Acta Acad. Sci. Imp. Petrop. 1(1): 213. 1777; Dendrium hugeri Small; Leiophyllum buxifolium (Bergius) Elliott; L. buxifolium var. hugeri (Small) C. K. Schneider; L. buxifolium var. prostratum (Loudon) A. Gray; L. hugeri (Small) K. Schumann; L. prostratum Loudon; L. serpyllifolium de Candolle

Shrubs erect, 0.1-1 m. Twigs terete or slightly 2-angled proximal to node, viscid, glabrous or sparsely hairy. Leaves alternate or opposite; petiole absent or 0.1-2 mm, glabrous or puberulent; blade ovate or oval to narrowly lanceolate, (0.4-)0.6-1.2(-1.4) × (0.2-)0.3-0.6 cm, margins somewhat revolute, apex obtuse, abaxial surface tomentulose, adaxial glabrous or sparsely puberulent toward base. Inflorescences terminal, corymbiform racemes or umbels, (3-)6-8(-18)-flowered. Pedicels 5-11 mm. Flowers: sepals green, lanceolate, 1-1.2 mm, apex acute, surfaces glabrous, margins ciliate; petals (spreading), distinct nearly their entire lengths, white or light pink, 3-4 × 2-3.5 mm, glabrous; filaments 3-5 mm; (ovary stipitate-glandular); style 3-4 mm. Capsules 2-3(-5)-locular, (persistent style forming beak on each locule), 2.5-4 × 2.5-3 mm, glabrous. Seeds not winged, oblong to ovoid, 0.4-0.5 mm.

Flowering mid spring. Open pine or oak woods in sandy soil, pocosins, and rocky summits; 0-1700(-1900) m; Ga., Ky., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Pa., S.C., Tenn.