Phyllodoce
(name of a nymph mentioned by Virgil; with an allusion to the shining leaves in the derivation phyllon, a leaf, and dokein, to shine). ORD. Ericaceae. A genus comprising only three species of small, hardy, Heath-like shrubs, inhabiting the mountainous and frigid regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Flowers pink, blue, or purple, drooping, long-stalked, sub-umbellate at the tips of the branchlets; calyx five-parted, persistent; corolla ovoid, with five erect or recurved lobes; pedicels bracteate and bibracteolate at the base. Capsules erect. Leaves articulated with the branchlets, clustered, linear or linear-oblong, obtuse, entire or serrulated, coriaceous, persistent, shining, with revolute margins. The two species described below should be grown in peat, and propagated by layers. P. caerulea (blue). A synonym of P. taxifolia.
P. empetriformis (Empetrum-like). See Bryanthus empetrifolius. P. taxifolia (Yew-leaved). fl. lilac, few, drooping, in terminal, umbellate corymbs; corolla urceolate; pedicels 1/2in. to 1 1/2in. long. May. l. shortly petioled, crowded, spreading, linear, obtuse, denticulate, 1/4in. to 1/3in. long. Branches tubercled. h. 2ft. Europe (Britain), North America, &c. SYNS. P. caerulea, Menziesia caerulea (L. B. C. 164; Sy. En. B. 886).