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Gaultheria humifusa
  • Alpine Wintergreen

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

Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
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,neutral
    Unknown
    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
  • 7
    Zone 7
    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
Gaultheria humifusa has 0 edible uses listed
Gaultheria humifusa has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1]. Aromatic and delicious[2][3][4] with a flavour of wintergreen. Often used in preserves[1]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[5].

Leaves - raw[3]. Used as a wayside nibble[6]. The young tender leaves are especially suited for use as greens[1]. They have a delicate flavour of wintergreen.

A tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[3][6][1].

Fruit

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

A ground cover plant for positions in the sun or light shade. A black dye has been made from the plant[7].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Gaultheria humifusa.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[8]. 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[9].

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[8]. A good percentage usually take. Division in spring just before new growth begins[5]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Layering.

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



Cultivation

Prefers a moist but not boggy humus rich soil in sun or semi-shade[9]. This species requires a lot of shade[10]. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil[9].

The plant can make a good nesting place for mice, these mice then eat the bark of the stems in winter causing die-back. Grows well in a rock garden[9]. This species is closely allied to G. ovatifolia[9].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Gaultheria humifusa. 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 Gaultheria humifusa.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Gaultheria humifusa
Genus
Gaultheria
Family
Ericaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[7]
Botanic
[9][11]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.1 x 0.3 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    10. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    11. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)


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    Facts about "Gaultheria humifusa"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEricaceae +
    Belongs to genusGaultheria +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial nameGaultheria humifusa +
    Has common nameAlpine Wintergreen +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +, Leaves + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height0.1 +
    Has mature width0.3 +
    Has search namegaultheria humifusa + and alpine wintergreen +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid + and Neutral +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameGaultheria humifusa +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Gaultheria humifusa +, Gaultheria humifusa +, Gaultheria humifusa + and Gaultheria humifusa +