Dog-hobble (
Leucothoe fontanesiana) is a multi-stemmed, broadleaf evergreen or deciduous shrub which is of the Ericaceae family.
L. fontanesiana is native to the mountains of Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee.
L. fontanesiana has long, alternate, simple, taper-pointed leaves that initially grow as a bright green, bronze to purple color which eventually change to a lustrous dark green once it matures. During the winter,
L. fontanesiana leaves change back to the bronze purple color.
It produces clusters of elongated, urn-shaped, waxy, creamy white, fragrant flowers with 5 small lobes. The fruits are globular, 5-lobed capsules.
Toxic components
L. fontanesiana leaves contain grayanotoxin (andromedotoxin), which is highly toxic to horses if ingested.
