Neviusia alabamensis

Alabama Snow Wreath is a deciduous shrub in the Rose Family (ROSACEAE). It is found in the northern third of Alabama. Alabama Snow Wreath occurs in rocky woods, on the banks of streams and rivers, and around natural openings in limestone woodlands. It is a woody shrub with arching stems to 8 feet in length. The bark is reddish brown in color in sheds in strips. The leaves are alternate, deciduous, elliptical to ovate in outline, and doubly serrate. The teeth are tipped with a red gland. The leaves, especially on the lower surface are pubescent. Flowers are produced in racemes or cymes. The flowers are apetalous (without petals). The flowers have five greenish white leaf-like sepals and numerous white stamens. The inconspicuous fruit is a drupe-like achene. Alabama Snow Wreath was discovered on the banks of the Black Warrior River near Tuscaloosa in 1858 by Reverend Ruben Denton Nevius. The genus was named in his honor. In addition to Alabama, Alabama Snow Wreath has been found in Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, southern Missouri, and Tennessee. In Alabama it is listed as an S2 plant (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state) and globally as a G2 plant (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Despite being rare in nature, Alabama Snow Wreath is easy to grow in cultivation and is available from many nurseries. It prefers well-drained soils in full to partial sun. Plants sucker abundantly and these should be removed to prevent spread into un-wanted areas. Old stems should be removed after flowering to promote new growth. Alabama Snow Wreath can be propagated by cuttings, and by division

Historically thought to be a monotypic genus but in 1992 a second species of Neviusia was discovered in Northern California.  That species, Neviusia cliftonia Shevock, Ertter, & D. W. Taylor is extremely rare and occasionally produces petals.