There is only one species in this genus of Galax. This Round-leaved Wandflower or Beetleweed is similar to its relative of the Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia). Wandflower forms a basal rosette of shiny, tough, leathery, evergreen, rounded heart-shaped leaves with long leaf stalks that turn red-brown in winter. Tiny white flowers bloom on the single spikes in late May - June. Its native range is from the mountains of Maryland to east Kentucky down into northern Georgia & Alabama, plus the coastal plain of southeast Virginia in dry to moist woods. It has escaped cultivation in some spots in Massachusetts. In cultivation it needs rich, loose, acidic, humusy, moist, well-drained, sandy to silty soils. It does not do well in regular landscape conditions. Seed can be sown as soon as ripe. The plant produces reddish rhizomes so that it becomes a small colony. It can be divided in spring with soil adhering to the roots. It is sold by some specialty nurseries. I've only seen it once in an arboretum, so it is rare.

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