Zenobia D. Don (1834), in the family Ericaceae, contains 1 variable species, Z. pulverulenta (Willd.) Pollard, in eastern North America. Description Shrubs to 2m, with smooth, reddish-brown twigs. The leaves are alternate, deciduous, broadly to narrowly ovate, sometimes white beneath. The flowers are white, bell-shaped, scented, in elongated bunches at the ends of the shoots and short bunches in the upper leaf axils. Sepals 5, joined at the base; petals 5, equal, joined to form a lobed corolla. Stamens 10, the anthers with appendages, opening by pores. Ovary superior. Carpels 5, fused, with numerous ovules. Pollination is by insects. The fruits are capsules with numerous winged seeds. Key Recognition Features The broadly bell-shaped, pure white flowers on slender stalks are easy to recognise. Evolution and Relationships This is close to Pieris
and other similar genera which were all included at one time under Andromeda L. Ecology and Geography In damp, sandy or peaty pine barrens from southeastern Virginia to South Carolina. Comment A very attractive, summer-flowering shrub, often cultivated. Zenobia was Queen of Palmyra, in present-day Syria, and led a revolt against Rome, but was defeated and captured by Aurelian in 272AD. |
