Gaultheria pyroloides
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Gaultheria genus in the family Ericaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Genus
- Gaultheria
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 0.25 m
- Spread
- 0.25 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[7][1][3]. A sweet flavour. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[4].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Coniferous woods and sub-alpine thickets[8].
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- 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 then surface sow in a lime-free compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep the compost moist[9]. The seed usually germinates well, usually within 1 - 2 months at 20°c, but the seedlings are liable to damp off. It is important to water them with care and to ensure that they get plenty of ventilation. Watering them with a garlic infusion can also help to prevent damping of[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 so might need some protection for their first few years outdoors. The leaves remain very small for the first few years[1]. 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[9]. A good percentage usually take. Division can be carried out at almost any time of the year, but works best in the spring just before new growth begins[K]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
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[1][2]. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil[1][2]. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most situations[2]. This species is often confused with G. pyroloides[1] and G. pyroliifolia[2]. It was mistakenly originally included in G. pyroloides though it is in fact quite distinct and is closely related to G. cuneata[1][2]. Further evidence has shown that the original description of Gaultheria pyroloides refers to the Japanese species, whilst Gaultheria pyroliifolia is a distinct Himalayan species[6]. Gaultheria miqueliana is thus a synonym of G. pyroloides[6]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The flowers are scented[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00