Practical
Plants

Arctostaphylos alpina

Alpine Bearberry

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Arctostaphylos genus in the family Ericaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.05 m
Spread
0.12 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[7][11][2]. Very juicy but slightly bitter[1]. Another report says that they are juicy but insipid[9]. The flavour is much improved by cooking[9]. Not as nice as many other wild fruits, but nor are they unpleasant[7]. The fruit is about 6 - 9mm in diameter[8][10], it is not usually produced very freely[9].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the pounded plant has been used as an external wash in the treatment of rheumatism and general illnesses[9]. A decoction of the bark is used in the treatment of internal blood diseases[9]. The leaves are narcotic and have been smoked to cause intoxication[9].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Blood purifier
Product or use
Narcotic

Environment

Range
N. Europe, including Britain, N. Asia to Japan, west to Greenland and northern N. America..
Habitat
Mountain moors[5] and stony places on calcareous Alps up to 2500 metres.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 1+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a shady position in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[12]. Pre-soak dried seed and sow as early in the year as possible[4]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 months at 15°c[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of side shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August to December in a frame. Takes one year[12]. Division in early spring. Take care because the plant resents root disturbance[8]. Pot the divisions up and keep them in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing away actively. Layering in spring[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a deep moist well-drained light or medium lime-free loam in sun or semi-shade[6][8]. Prefers a cool damp position[3]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[4]. Grows well in a rock garden[3]. This plant is placed in a separate genus, as Arctuous alpinus, by some botanists due to its deciduous habit[3][8].

References

  1. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  10. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  11. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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