This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Vaccinium macrocarpon
  • American Cranberry

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Vaccinium 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 Requirementshigh
    High
    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
  • 2
    Zone 2
    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
Vaccinium macrocarpon has 0 edible uses listed
Vaccinium macrocarpon has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4][5]. It can also be dried for winter use[6]. Rich in vitamin C[7], the fruit is too acid for most peoples tastes to be eaten raw, so it is mainly used in pies, preserves etc[8]. It is said that a teaspoon of salt added to the cooking fruit can take the place of half the sugar normally used[8]. The fruit is between 1 and 2cm in diameter[7].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 1 metre apart each way[9]. Plants spread rapidly when they are thriving[9].
There are no material uses listed for Vaccinium macrocarpon.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

An infusion of the branches has been used as a treatment for pleurisy[10].

Unknown part

Miscellany

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[11]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[12]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[7]. 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 in April of shoots 15cm long, in a sandy mix in a frame covered in plastic to keep them moist[7]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[11]. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn[11]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[7]. Takes 18 months[11].

Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[12].

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



Cultivation

Requires a moist or semi-boggy lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[2][7]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4 to 4.5, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present[7]. Plants grow best in a poor soil, richer soils result in extra foliage production at the expense of fruit[7]. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[7]. Requires shelter from strong winds[7].

A very dwarf shrub producing long slender creeping stems that root into the soil. Upright stems grow from the axillary buds in the second year and these upright stems flower and fruit the following year[7]. Widely cultivated for its edible fruit in N. America, there are many named varieties[2][8][7]. Cultivated plants are usually grown in artificial bogs that are often flooded in the winter[7]. Plants can self-fertilize but cross-fertilization by insects results in higher yields[7]. Cultivated plants take about 5 years to come into full bearing but will then crop well for 60 - 100 years[7]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[7].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Vaccinium macrocarpon. 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 Vaccinium macrocarpon.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Vaccinium macrocarpon
Genus
Vaccinium
Family
Ericaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[10]
Material uses & Functions
[9]
Botanic
[2][13][7]
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
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
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
    moderate
    Mature Size
    0.2 x 2 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences (1978-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
    7. ? 7.007.017.027.037.047.057.067.077.087.097.107.117.127.137.147.157.167.177.18 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    13. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)


    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Vaccinium_macrocarpon&oldid=81534"
    Facts about "Vaccinium macrocarpon"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEricaceae +
    Belongs to genusVaccinium +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial nameVaccinium macrocarpon +
    Has common nameAmerican Cranberry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Insects + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone2 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.2 +
    Has mature width2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useMiscellany +
    Has search namevaccinium macrocarpon + and american cranberry +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid + and Acid +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameVaccinium macrocarpon +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    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 migratedNo +
    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.Vaccinium macrocarpon + and Vaccinium macrocarpon +