Fetterbush is a native deciduous shrub in the heath family common to moist sandy sites in the coastal plain of North Carolina. Despite the common name, Piedmont Staggerbush, the plant is rare in the Piedmont and mountains. It is listed as endangered in several northern states. This is a flowering shrub normally producing blooms in spring, but may flower in fall in recently burned areas. Fetterbush is a hardy plant that does best in moist to wet, sandy or peaty, acidic soils in filtered shade to full sun. However, it is adaptable to loamy garden soils with consistent moisture. It spreads by rhizomes. You can use this plant in naturalized areas, as a hedge or in wet sites. It blooms on previous years growth so prune after flowering. It is a decorative plant with a good display of flowers and bright red leaves in the autumn. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Poor Soil; Wet Soil
Propagation
Seed; Stem Cutting
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Flowers; Leaves; Sap/Juice
Poison symptoms
Signs of Toxicity occur usually within six hours of consuming the plant. Symptoms include lack of coordination, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, weakness, muscular spasms, watering of eyes and nose, slow pulse, colic, ataxia, depression, sweating, tingling of skin, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and sometimes even death. Toxicity in sheep, goats, cattle, and horses is most likely to occur in late winter or early spring when other forage is not available. Livestock are found down, unable to stand with their head weaving from side to side.
Toxic principle
Andromedotoxin, Grayanotoxins
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Flowers; Leaves; Sap/Juice