Practical
Plants

Gaultheria trichophylla

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
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[8][7]. The blue ovoid fruit is about 10 x 6mm[4].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

A useful ground cover for shady places.

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - W. Himalayas to China.
Habitat
A creeping shrub in alpine pastures[2], growing on rocks and banks up to elevations of 4500 metres[8]. Montane grasslands, mountain slopes and rocky places[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
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 in spring when new growth is about 7cm tall. Divided plants can be rather slow to get established[3]. We have found that it is best to pot up the clumps and grow them on in a shady position 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 sun or semi-shade[1]. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil[1]. Prefers a fairly light open position so long as the soil is kept moist[1]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4]. This species does not always fruit well in Britain[1]. The plant can make a good nesting place for mice, these mice then eat the bark of the stems in winter causing die-back. The bruised leaves release a hot, aromatic fragrance[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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