Practical
Plants

Gaultheria mucronata

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1.2 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Insects
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. The lilac-coloured fruit does not look tremendously edible, and the texture is somewhat like polystyrene - but it is juicy, almost melts in the mouth, has a very pleasant slightly sweet flavour and makes a very good dessert fruit[K]. The fruit is up to 12mm in diameter[6].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

The plant can be used to make a low hedge[8]. A good ground cover plant for a sunny position, forming dense thickets[5]. They are best spaced about 60cm apart each way[7]. Plants can be cut back in the spring if they are becoming too lanky and open in growth[7].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Hedge

Environment

Range
S. America - S. Chile, S. Argentina.
Habitat
Open wet Nothfagus and Drimys forest, dominant or co-dominant with Chiliotrichum in shrub communities fringing forests above high water mark and in transition to swamps and bogs from sea level to 700m
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
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.

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. Pre-chill for 4 - 10 weeks and surface sow in a lime-free compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep moist[10]. The seed usually germinates well, usually within 1 - 2 months at 20°c, but the seedlings are liable to damp off. Watering them with care and making sure they get ample ventilation will reduce this risk. Watering them with a garlic infusion can help to prevent damping off[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are about 25mm tall and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter[K]. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. The seedlings are susceptible to spring frosts and so it might be wise to give them some protection in their first spring or two outdoors.. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 3 - 6cm long, July/August in a frame in a shady position. They form roots in late summer or spring[10]. A good percentage usually take. Division in spring just before new growth begins. 'Drop' the plants 12 months earlier by digging them up and replanting them deeper in the soil so that the branches are buried and can form roots. This works best in a sandy soil[10]. It is best to pot up the divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse until they are established. Plant them out in the summer. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[10].

Cultivation

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

Requires a light well-drained lime-free soil[1]. Requires a moist acid soil according to another report[4]. Prefers a sunny position[1] but succeeds in light shade though it fruits less well in such a position[3]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[4]. Plants spread quite freely, forming thickets by means of suckers[3]. Plants sometimes have hermaphrodite flowers but are usually dioecious[7] and at least one male plant is required for every 5 or 6 females if fruit is required. A very ornamental shrub, there are many named varieties[3]. 'Davis's Hybrids' is said to be hermaphrodite[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  9. Moore. D. M. Flora of Tierra del Fuego. Anthony Nelson. 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-904614-05-0

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

Edit this page