Leatherleaf
Chamaedaphne calyculata
- Native to:
- Baltic States, Belarus, Canada, China, Finland, Japan, Korea, Labrador, Poland, Prince Edward I., Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, United States
iNaturalist: © saxzimbog (iNaturalist #4143502)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Chamaedaphne
- Species:
- Chamaedaphne calyculata
- USDA Symbol:
- CHCA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acleris oxycoccana, Archips myricana, Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Coenophila opacifrons, Coleophora ledi, Dawn Rustic (Xestia dilucida), Eugraphe subrosea, Melanchra assimilis, Nevada buckmoth (Hemileuca nevadensis-complex), obsoletana leafroller (Choristoneura obsoletana), Olethreutes nanana, Sparganothis daphnana, Syngrapha microgamma, Thaxter's Pinion Moth (Lithophane thaxteri), Yellow-washed metarranthis (Metarranthis obfirmaria), Young's Dart (Xestia youngii), Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rhizomes after fire; common in fire-maintained bog and fen ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- peaty, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 3.5 - 5.5 (strongly acidic to acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in bogs and wetlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow on acidic, moist peat-based medium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months Requires light or the seed is very fine. Surface sow and expose to light. * peat based medium