Practical
Plants

Vaccinium arboreum

Farkleberry

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
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. Dry and slightly astringent but with a pleasant flavour[9]. Dry and insipid according to another report[3] whilst another says that it is dry, sweet and mealy[5] and yet another says that it is bitter and inedible[4]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[4].

Plant part
Fruit

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 berries, root-bark and leaves are very astringent and have been used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery etc[7][9][6]. The infusion is valuable in treating sore throats, chronic ophthalmia, leucorrhoea etc[7].

Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

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

Said to be an excellent rootstock for 'Rabbiteye' blueberries (V. ashei)[3]. Tannin is obtained from the bark and root[9][5]. Wood - heavy, hard, very close grained. It weighs 48lb per cubic foot. Used for making tool handles and other small articles[9][5].

Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Rootstock

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Texas.
Habitat
Moist sandy soils by ponds and streams[9]. Usually found in most shady slightly alkaline soils along stream banks, bluffs, hammocks and in open woods[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
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 - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[8]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[2]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[4]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[8]. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn[8]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[4]. Takes 18 months[8]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[2].

Cultivation

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

Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[1][4]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[4]. Requires shelter from strong winds[4]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[4]. Plants are deciduous when growing in cold climates[1]. 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

  2. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. 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↩8↩9

  5. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2

  7. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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