trailing arbutus

[ trey-ling ahr-byoo-tuhs ]

noun

1. Also called arbutus,. a creeping eastern North American plant, Epigaea repens, of the heath family, having leathery, oval leaves and terminal clusters of fragrant pink or white flowers: the state flower of Massachusetts.

trailing arbutus

noun

1. a creeping evergreen ericaceous plant, Epigaea repens , of E North America, having clusters of fragrant pink or white flowers Also calledmayflower

Word History and Origins

Origin of trailing arbutus¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

She recalled going on “rambles” through the woods in her teenage years and finding many “beautiful children of spring,” her epithet for wildflowers like trailing arbutus, adder’s tongue and yellow violets.

From New York Times

Lucky are you if you chance to live where the trailing arbutus grows, with its deliciously perfumed waxy flowers under last summer's dead leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

A little later they visit the willow catkins to suck the nectar secreted by these blossoms, and still later they hover about the delicate blossoms of the mayflower, or trailing arbutus, for a similar purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

She was literally a bower of trailing arbutus, as sprays of that spring flower were fastened all over her gown.

From Project Gutenberg

Epigaea repens is the trailing arbutus or mayflower of Atlantic America.

From Project Gutenberg