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Andromeda polifolia
  • Marsh Andromeda

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Andromeda genus in the family Ericaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid
    Very acid to Acid
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 2
    Zone 2
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Andromeda polifolia has 0 edible uses listed
Andromeda polifolia has 0 material uses listed
Andromeda polifolia has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

A toxin, called 'andromedotoxin' can be released from the plant if it is infused in boiling water[1]. See notes below regarding use of the plant for tea.

Edible uses

Notes

The tender leaves and shoot-tips are boiled as an aromatic tea[2][3]. A delicious drink[1]. Some caution is advised since boiling the plant or infusing it in hot water is said to release a toxic chemical[1]. It is safer to soak the leaves in a jar of water in direct sunlight to make 'sun tea'[1].

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

Tannin is obtained from the leaves and twigs[4].

Unknown part

Tannin

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The plant is used as a respiratory aid in the treatment of catarrh[5].

Unknown part

Pectoral

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow February/March in an acid compost in the greenhouse. Surface sow or only just cover the seed and place in a lightly shaded position[6][7]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 12°c[7]. Prick out the young seedlings into individual pots as soon as possible, they are prone to damp-off and so should be kept well ventilated[6]. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out in early summer once they are 15cm or more tall.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame in a shady position. Takes 15 months[6]. Layering in August in a semi-shady position. Takes 18 months[6].

Division in early spring. The plants should be 'dropped' beforehand[6]. This entails digging up the plant 6 to 12 months earlier and replanting it somewhat more deeply. The buried branches will then root and form new plants when divided.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Andromeda polifolia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a well-drained, moisture-retentive, lime-free, humus- rich soil and a shady position[7][8][9].

Plants spread slowly by means of suckers when they are grown in a suitable position[8].

A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Andromeda polifolia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Andromeda polifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Andromeda polifolia
Genus
Andromeda
Family
Ericaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][1]
Medicinal uses
[5]
Material uses & Functions
[4]
Botanic
[10][11][9]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 0.6 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Lepidoptera, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    10. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-11
    11. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Andromeda polifolia 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Andromeda polifolia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEricaceae +
    Belongs to genusAndromeda +
    Has common nameMarsh Andromeda +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useTea +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bee +, Lepidoptera + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone2 +
    Has imageAndromeda polifolia 001.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useTannin +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has mature width0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal usePectoral +
    Has primary imageAndromeda polifolia 001.JPG +
    Has search nameandromeda polifolia + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid + and Acid +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has taxonomy nameAndromeda polifolia +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +