Practical
Plants

Vaccinium nummularia

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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

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][3][5]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[5].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

A good ground cover, it is ideal for clothing banks.

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Sikkim to Bhutan.
Habitat
On rocks and as a forest epiphyte, to altitudes up to 4000 metres[7]. Rocky places of montane forest understories, thickets on mountain slopes at elevations of 2000 - 3500 metres[6].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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[5]. 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[5]. Takes 18 months[8]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[2].

Cultivation

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][5]. 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[5]. Requires semi-shade[4]. Requires shelter from strong winds[5]. Plants are not very frost-resistant and are particularly susceptible to late spring frosts, they succeed outdoors only in the milder areas of Britain[1]. They grow well in a woodland garden in the south-west of the country[3]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[5]. 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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  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. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩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

    ↩

  5. 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

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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