Mitchella repens

Partridge Berry

In late spring, twin white flowers bloom on this prostrate evergreen creeping vine with dark green, glossy, rounded opposite leaves. The flowers create shiny, bright red berries with two "eyes". This comes from the fact that twin flowers work together to form one berry.

The berries will stay on the vine until after blooms appear the following spring unless a hungry bird finds it.

Additional Information:
Linnaeus named this plant Mitchella for his friend John Mitchell (a physician, naturalist, plant lover, and cartographer), who developed a method of treating yellow fever victims and saved thousands of lives; and repens because it is a trailing or creeping plant.

Height 6-12 Inches

Spread 6-12 Inches

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-9

Home Owner Growing and Maintenance Tips:
The stems often take root at the nodes and form a mat. It transplants easily, grows quickly, but rarely becomes a pest. Try it in a shady spot, or in a terrarium.

Characteristics & Attributes