Note from the Author: New wild plant!
This bunch were maybe a foot or two tall.
Common Name: Maleberry
Other Common Names: Fetterbush, Piedmont Staggerbush, Staggerbush
Botanical Family: Ericeae (The Heather Family)
Botanical Latin Name: Lyonia mariana
Description & Habitat:
Maleberry is native deciduous shrub that can be found in the coastal plains of North Carolina. Maleberry has an alternate leaf arrangement and its leaves are elliptical in shape. In some sheltered areas Maleberry may retain its leaves all year round. The natural range of Maleberry is extensive as it can be found as far north as Rhode Island, as far south as Florida and, westward to Texas. Generally speaking it prefers moist if not wet sandy soils or peat-heavy soils and can grow in full sun or partial shade. The specimens found during the Fort Liberty excursion were found in sandy soil that appeared to be part of a flood basin. Patterns of soil erosion by way of water runoff were readily visible in the area and it is likely that this plant was stabilizing the soil and slowly creating topsoil where its colonies were present. Maleberry mainly spreads by way of rhizome, but also produces seeds. Maleberry has white colored flowers in the spring and the seed capsules follow in the fall.
Special Toxicity Note:
This plant is dangerously toxic and contains Andromedotoxin and Grayanotoxins.
When & What to Harvest:
Do not harvest this plant for food.
Related Plants:
None are known.
Recipe:
This plant is not edible. Some sources suggest the Cherokee used an infusion of this plant for Toe Itch, ;’ground itch’ and ulcers but this is not recommended.
Additional Information: (If applicable)
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lyonia-mariana/
Where to get Seed or Bare Root Plants:
I could not find any reputable seed company selling the seeds or plants for this one.
With all that garden goodness covered this is the part of the blog where I have to advertise for the Fayetteville City Market. Now I know you readers probably don’t much like advertisements, but my booth at the City Market helps to cover the costs of running the test garden and literally maintains the Research & Development budget that is used to bring you the information that has made up the backbone of this blog. In addition to being able to process card payments we now take CashApp payments so your payment options for my product have tripled. With that said; if you want to get some GMO-free, Organic fruit, herbs, flowers and perennials, come on down to the Fayetteville City Market on 325 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Even in bad weather the market goes on though you might have to look for me under the ‘arches’ of the Transportation Museum’s front entryway.
Spring Plants
Pepper, Carolina Reaper (hot!!! 1.5-2.2 million SHU)
Tomato, Cherokee Purple (last tomatoes of 2026)
Herbs
Basil, Sweet Genovese
Oregano
Sage, Common
Thyme, English
Summer Plants
Anise-Hyssop, Arizona Sandstone
Balloon Flower
Black Eyed Susan, Denver Daisy
Calibrachoa, Caliburst
Coneflower, Pow Wow White
Cotton, Nankeen
Dahlia, Figaro Mix
Pumpkin, Blue
Tobacco Flower, Saratoga Purple Bicolor
Garden Supply
Live Mushroom Compost, 1 Gallon
Live Mushroom Compost, 3 Gallon
Plants Coming Soon:
Spineless Prickly Pear (available on 6-20-2026)
-Others TBA-
How to stay in Contact with Us!
All you need to keep up with all our activities is to have a Nextdoor account and to look for the ‘Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’ group and ask to join! You don’t have to live in Fayetteville to join us! Feel free to ask all your garden questions of our knowledgeable membership and post your cool garden pictures.
Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville
Also please take a gander at the YouTube version of this blog:
The Videos: Look Here
>Newest videos (1): Digiplexis
With all of the updates, blog posts, community announcements and the main topic handled remember that Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’s meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is June 13th at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, or at North South Brewing on the same day between 1:00 and 5:00pm.
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