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Gaultheria ovatifolia
  • Mountain Checkerberry

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

248px
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
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent 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
  • 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 ovatifolia has 0 edible uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2][3]. Spicy and delicious[4]. The fruit is up to 6mm in diameter[5].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

A useful ground cover for shady places.
There are no material uses listed for Gaultheria ovatifolia.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Gaultheria ovatifolia.

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[6]. 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[4].

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm with a heel, July/August in a shady frame. Rather slow, it usually takes 12 months for the roots to form[6]. Division in early spring. 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 in September/October. Takes 12 months.

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



Cultivation

Prefers a moist but not boggy humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade[4][7]. This species prefers considerable shade[8]. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil[4][7].

Closely related to G. humifusa[7]. Reputed to be rather difficult in cultivation[4], it does not grow well in S. England[8]. The plant can make a good nesting place for mice, these mice then eat the bark of the stems in winter causing die-back.

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

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Gaultheria ovatifolia. 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 ovatifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Gaultheria ovatifolia
Genus
Gaultheria
Family
Ericaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[4][9][5]
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
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent 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
    0.15 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (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 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    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. ? 6.06.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    9. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)

    "image:Gaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Gaultheria_ovatifolia&oldid=77448"
    Facts about "Gaultheria ovatifolia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEricaceae +
    Belongs to genusGaultheria +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial nameGaultheria ovatifolia +
    Has common nameMountain Checkerberry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageGaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.15 +
    Has primary imageGaultheria ovatifolia Iwahaze in Sannomine 2002 6 16.jpg +
    Has search namegaultheria ovatifolia + and mountain checkerberry +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid + and Neutral +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has sun preferencePartial sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameGaultheria ovatifolia +
    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 ovatifolia +