Trailing Arbutus
Rare Flower Found on Preserve Site
The Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) has played a
central role in the history of Indiana University. It
is the University’s official flower and gave the Arbutus
yearbook its name. One hundred years ago, a popular
destination for students traveling by horse and buggy
was Arbutus Hill, just east of town. It was said that
the plant occurred nowhere else in the state in such
abundance and that the spring air was perfumed by its
delicate odor. Herman B Wells and the Indiana University
Board of Trustees later requested that bouquets of trailing
arbutus be brought to their meetings so they could see
Indiana University’s official flower.
Today, few students or faculty members would recognize
the trailing arbutus. Arbutus Hill burned in 1906 and
is now covered with forest. Sadly, only a few trailing
arbutus plants remain. An uncommon species, the trailing
arbutus has become even rarer in southern Indiana as
human activities have altered its habitat. The plant
is best observed on steep south or west-facing slopes
where soils are thin and leaf litter does not bury the
plant. Unfortunately, it is absent from most habitats
where it could occur.
Once the trailing arbutus is gone from an area, it
is likely gone forever. This small, prostrate plant
rarely produces fruits, and it's seeds are dispersed
by ants. It requires a certain type of fungus to grow
with its root system or it will not establish and is
virtually impossible to transplant. The species is thought
to be a relict from the time of the glaciers, similar
to other plant oddities near Bloomington like the eastern
Hemlock or Yellowwood. The best approach to preserving
Indiana University’s official flower is to protect and
manage its few remaining habitats.
Fortunately, the Moore's Creek site of the Indiana
University Research and Teaching Preserve supports a
remnant population of trailing arbutus. This is the
only place on the Indiana University (extended) campus
where its official flower can be found. Mid-April is
an ideal time to observe this interesting and rare plant
in flower.
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