Leucothoe racemosa
Common name: 
Sweetbells Leucothoe
Swamp Doghobble
Fetterbush
Pronunciation: 
lu-KOTH-o-e ras-eh-MO-suh
Family: 
Ericaceae
Genus: 
Leucothoe
Synonyms: 
Eubotrys racemosa
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf deciduous shrub, 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) high and wide, tends to sucker so produces a thicket.  Leaves alternate, simple, 2.5-6.5 cm long, 1.3-3.2 cm wide, shallow-toothed, bright green, turn red in fall.  Flowers waxy-white to pinkish, urn-shaped, produced on 2.5-10 cm racemes (May-June).
  • Part shade, does well in fairly dry soil.  Useful in a woodsy landscape.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 5      Native from Massachusetts to Florida and Louisiana, predominantly in the coastal plain.
  • Recent plant research has resulted in the "transfer" of Leucothoe racemosa to the genus Eubotrys, hence its accepted botanical name is now Eubotrys racemosa.  It may be some time before this name is used in commerce, especially outside its native range (e.g., Pacific Northwest).
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: northeast corner of Milam Hall.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, spring flowering

    plant habit, spring flowering

  • flower clusters

    flower clusters

  • leaves, spring

    leaves, spring

  • plant habit, summer

    plant habit, summer

  • leaves, summer

    leaves, summer

  • leaves, fall

    leaves, fall

  • fruit cluster

    fruit cluster

  • winter twigs and bud

    winter twigs and bud