Galax is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with round, glossy, dark green leaves. It is very common in the Mountains of North Carolina, and uncommon to rare in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. It is listed here as a shrub solely because the USDA PLANTS database lists it as a subshrub. The leaves are malodorous and can be smelled from some distance away. Compare the leaves with those of the similar but very rare Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia).

Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07.

An alternate common name listed on the USDA site is "beetleweed." Formerly known as Galax aphylla.

Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07.

The small white flowers appear in late spring.

Wilkes Co., NC 6/15/08.

Developing fruits.

Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07.

The inflorescence is a long raceme that ascends straight and towers above the basal leaves.

Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07.