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Arctostaphylos alpina
  • Alpine Bearberry

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

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid
    Very acid to Acid
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 1
    Zone 1
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Arctostaphylos alpina has 0 edible uses listed
Arctostaphylos alpina has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2][3]. Very juicy but slightly bitter[4]. Another report says that they are juicy but insipid[5]. The flavour is much improved by cooking[5]. Not as nice as many other wild fruits, but nor are they unpleasant[1]. The fruit is about 6 - 9mm in diameter[6][7], it is not usually produced very freely[5].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Arctostaphylos alpina.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

An infusion of the pounded plant has been used as an external wash in the treatment of rheumatism and general illnesses[5].

A decoction of the bark is used in the treatment of internal blood diseases[5].

The leaves are narcotic and have been smoked to cause intoxication[5].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Blood purifier
Narcotic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a shady position in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[8]. Pre-soak dried seed and sow as early in the year as possible[9]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 months at 15°c[9]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer.

Cuttings of side shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August to December in a frame. Takes one year[8]. Division in early spring. Take care because the plant resents root disturbance[6]. Pot the divisions up and keep them in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing away actively.

Layering in spring[6].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Arctostaphylos alpina. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a deep moist well-drained light or medium lime-free loam in sun or semi-shade[10][6]. Prefers a cool damp position[11].

Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[9]. Grows well in a rock garden[11].

This plant is placed in a separate genus, as Arctuous alpinus, by some botanists due to its deciduous habit[11][6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Arctostaphylos alpina. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Arctostaphylos alpina.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Arctostaphylos alpina
Genus
Arctostaphylos
Family
Ericaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[5]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[11][12][6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
1
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.05 x 0.12 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences (1978-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
    10. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    12. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Alpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Arctostaphylos_alpina&oldid=75175"
    Facts about "Arctostaphylos alpina"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEricaceae +
    Belongs to genusArctostaphylos +
    Has common nameAlpine Bearberry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bee + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone1 +
    Has imageAlpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.05 +
    Has mature width0.12 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Blood purifier + and Narcotic +
    Has primary imageAlpine bearberry in Varrio Nature Reserve, Finland.jpg +
    Has search namearctostaphylos alpina + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid + and Acid +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameArctostaphylos alpina +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +