About Galax urceolata (Poir.) Brummitt
Galax urceolata (Poir.) Brummitt is an evergreen herbaceous perennial plant. It typically grows 30 to 45 cm tall, and may reach up to 75 cm in rare cases. It forms a rosette of leathery, heart-shaped (cardioid) leaves that turn brown during winter. The leaves are usually 2.5 to 7.5 cm across, rarely growing as large as 15 cm in diameter, and have serrated edges with rounded teeth. Flowers bloom from late spring to early summer; they are white, and arranged in a single spike-like raceme 15 to 25 cm long, borne at the top of a 20 to 50 cm tall stem. Each individual flower has five petals and measures up to 4 mm in diameter. The fruit it produces is a small capsule that holds numerous seeds. For uses, the leaves of this plant are often harvested for the floristry industry. Concern over excessive overharvesting has led to restricted collection of the plant in many areas. It has also been used in herbalism to treat cuts and kidney ailments, and it is occasionally grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. The independent city of Galax, Virginia, is named after this plant species.
