Mitchella is a creeping evergreen vine belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It is native to woodlands of North America, where it usually grows under pine and hemlock trees. It spreads to become an attractive ground cover with pairs of tiny, tubular white flowers in spring giving way to single red berries during summer and fall. The rounded dark green leaves grow opposite each other on long stems.
These herbs do not climb but trail along the ground, spreading over several feet (2 m or more), but growing no more than 2 inches (5 cm) high. They prefer dry, acidic soil that is rich in humus, and full or partial shade. Mitchella grows in a wide range of climates but does not like full sun, which will cause the leaves to turn yellow. Once established, these plants do not like to be disturbed. Falling leaves should be diligently removed, because leaf cover makes them more prone to disease and insect damage and causes the leaves to discolor.
Mitchella is commonly known as partridge berry but is also known as squaw vine, winter clover and twinberry. The berries of these types of plants are edible and frequently eaten by wildlife such as deer, skunks and many types of birds. These berries are very low in fat, do not rot easily, and do not fall off the vine during winter. This makes them a good food source for animals at a time when there are not many types of fruit or berries available.
Propagating mitchella is best done by a process called layering. This is done by simply taking pieces of the plant, pulling them gently out of the ground and cutting them, keeping the tiny roots intact. These should be planted in a spot with good drainage, where they can be kept moist until they have rooted. These cuttings root quickly and should be planted where they are going to remain.
Mitchella can be grown from seeds, but they must be given cold exposure during the winter. Even with the cold stratification, seeds may not sprout until the second spring after they are planted, if they germinate at all. It is far easier to start new plants through the layering method.
This plant has been used in herbal medicine for hundreds of years, mainly for gynecological problems, and is still in use today. It has been given to women prior to childbirth to avoid problems during delivery. Mitchella may also act as an astringent, eliminating excessive mucus discharge. Native Americans smoked the leaves of this plant and made it into a love potion. They also dried the berries and added them to breads and other foods.