Practical
Plants

Gaultheria nummularioides

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. A watery flavour[9]. The fruit is quite tasty raw, but it is small and rather fiddly to harvest[K]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[5].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

A good ground cover plant for shady positions[6]. A carpeting plant that roots as it spreads, it should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Himachel Pradesh to southwestern China and Burma.
Habitat
Evergreen Pinus, Tsuga, Picea, or Abies forests, often on rocks and banks, rarely on trees at elevations of 1000 - 2000, occasionally to 4000 metres[10][8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
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[11]. 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[11]. 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[11]. 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[11].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a moist but not boggy humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade[3]. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil[3] and a sheltered position[1]. This species only tolerates light and short-lived frosts, so it is not very hardy in Britain. It can, however, be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country[5]. This species does not often fruit well in Britain[4]. Our single plant flowered freely when less than 3 years old from seed, producing quite a few fruits[K]. The bruised leaves have a distinct cedar-like aroma[7]. The flowers are also aromatic[7]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

References

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

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

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  9. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

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  10. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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