Wild Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Wild rosemary, more often called bog rosemary in the United States, is a small shrub of cold northern bogs. Its name comes from its narrow leaves, but it belongs to the blueberry family and is poisonous if eaten.

Appearance

Growth form: This low evergreen shrub grows up to about 2.6 ft (80 cm) tall.
Leaves: Its narrow leaves stay green through winter, with pale undersides and edges rolled under.
Flowers: Small pink or white bell-shaped flowers hang in clusters near the ends of branches.
Fruit: After flowering, small brown capsules develop.

Look-alikes

leatherleafChamaedaphne calyculata

Leatherleaf has small white bells lined up along the upper stem. Bog rosemary has pinkish or white bells clustered near the branch tips and much narrower leaves.

Why they get mixed upBoth are evergreen shrubs of northern bogs with small bell-shaped flowers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: bogs with sphagnum moss
fens (a type of wetland)
wet conifer woods
Range: It is native in northern states including Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as well as Alaska.
Preferred conditions: It favors wet, acidic, peaty ground.

Cautions

Cautions: All parts contain a toxin that can cause serious symptoms if eaten.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: Garden selections include 'Blue Ice', which has blue-toned foliage.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction
Status: In New Jersey, the local variety latifolia is state-endangered.

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