Practical
Plants

Menziesia ferruginea

False Huckleberry

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.8 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - fresh or dried[8][2][5]. The fruit is about 5 - 7mm in diameter[6]. The nectar has been sucked from the flowers to sweeten the mouth[7].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Nectar

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.

The leaves are cardiac[7]. They have been chewed to relieve heart pain and treat stomach problems[7]. A poultice of the heated leaves has been applied to sores and swellings[7].

Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
Western N. America.
Habitat
Woodland shade below 300 metres in California[9].
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.

Seed - best sown in a shady position in a cold frame in the autumn[6] but it can also be sown in late winter [10]. Surface sow and do not allow the compost to become dry. Germination is variable and can take 1 - 2 months at 15°c[10]. Keep the seedlings heavily shaded and prick them out into individual pots when they are 12 months old[10]. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer once they are more than 15cm tall. Cuttings of semi-ripe wood, 2 - 5cm with a heel, May/June in a frame. Keep them shaded. The cuttings are very slow to root but usually a good percentage will succeed[10]. Division in early spring just before active growth begins[10]. Layering.

Cultivation

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

Requires a lime-free humus-rich moist soil in sun or light shade[4]. Prefers moderate shade, especially on the roots[1][6], but it can also succeed in full sun[3]. Grows well in a woodland garden[6]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c[6]. The young growth in spring is susceptible to damage by late frosts but the plants are otherwise of easy cultivation[4]. Flowers are produced on the previous years wood[6]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  9. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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