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Rubiaceae
Partridge Berry Flower
Mitchella repens
Partnership and togetherness.
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Genus
- Mitchella
- Native to
- eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Late Spring, Early Summer
- Type
- creeping evergreen perennial
- Height
- 2–5 cm
- Sunlight
- part shade to full shade
- Soil
- acidic, moist, humus-rich
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 3–9
- Lifespan
- perennial ground cover
Did you know
- Each red berry is formed from the fusion of two flowers — you can still see two dimples on each fruit where the flowers were.
- It always produces flowers in pairs with their ovaries fused, making it a botanical symbol of partnership.
- Native American women brewed a tea from the leaves during pregnancy, earning it the name 'squaw vine'.
- The bright red berries persist through winter, providing food for ruffed grouse and wild turkeys — hence 'partridge berry'.
- It is in the same family as coffee (Rubiaceae) but produces no caffeine whatsoever.
Color meanings
White
unity and twin souls
Pink
mutual devotion