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Gaultheria mucronata

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

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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.
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    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
    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
  • 6
    Zone 6
    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 mucronata has 0 edible uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1]. The lilac-coloured fruit does not look tremendously edible, and the texture is somewhat like polystyrene - but it is juicy, almost melts in the mouth, has a very pleasant slightly sweet flavour and makes a very good dessert fruit[K]. The fruit is up to 12mm in diameter[2].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

The plant can be used to make a low hedge[3]. A good ground cover plant for a sunny position, forming dense thickets[4]. They are best spaced about 60cm apart each way[5]. Plants can be cut back in the spring if they are becoming too lanky and open in growth[5].
There are no material uses listed for Gaultheria mucronata.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Gaultheria mucronata.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover


Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. Pre-chill for 4 - 10 weeks and surface sow in a lime-free compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep moist[6]. The seed usually germinates well, usually within 1 - 2 months at 20°c, but the seedlings are liable to damp off. Watering them with care and making sure they get ample ventilation will reduce this risk. Watering them with a garlic infusion can help to prevent damping off[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 and so it might be wise to give them some protection in their first spring or two outdoors..

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[6]. A good percentage usually take. Division in spring just before new growth begins. 'Drop' the plants 12 months earlier by digging them up and replanting them deeper in the soil so that the branches are buried and can form roots. This works best in a sandy soil[6]. It is best to pot up the divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse until they are established. Plant them out in the summer.

Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[6].

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



Cultivation

Requires a light well-drained lime-free soil[7]. Requires a moist acid soil according to another report[8]. Prefers a sunny position[7] but succeeds in light shade though it fruits less well in such a position[9].

A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[8]. Plants spread quite freely, forming thickets by means of suckers[9]. Plants sometimes have hermaphrodite flowers but are usually dioecious[5] and at least one male plant is required for every 5 or 6 females if fruit is required. A very ornamental shrub, there are many named varieties[9]. 'Davis's Hybrids' is said to be hermaphrodite[9].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Gaultheria mucronata. 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 mucronata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Gaultheria mucronata
Genus
Gaultheria
Family
Ericaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[3][4][5]
Botanic
[7][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover, Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
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
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.5 x 1.2 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

    "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.



    "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0900629649 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. ISBN 0-304-31089-1 (1989-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    10. ? Moore. D. M. Flora of Tierra del Fuego. Anthony Nelson. ISBN 0-904614-05-0 (1983-00-00)

    "image:Pernettya mucronata 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Gaultheria mucronata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEricaceae +
    Belongs to genusGaultheria +
    Functions asGround cover + and Hedge +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imagePernettya mucronata 1.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1.5 +
    Has mature width1.2 +
    Has primary imagePernettya mucronata 1.jpg +
    Has search namegaultheria mucronata + 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 nameGaultheria mucronata +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +