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Empetrum nigrum
  • Crowberry

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Empetrum genus in the family Empetraceae.

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
  • 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
    Very acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    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
Empetrum nigrum has 0 edible uses listed
Empetrum nigrum has 0 material uses listed
Empetrum nigrum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4][5]. It can taste slightly acid or insipid[6]. Not very desirable[7], it tastes best after a frost[8]. A watery flavour, it is mainly used for making drinks, pies, preserves etc[9]. The Inuit dry or freeze them for winter use[9]. The fruit can hang on the plant all winter[8]. The fruit is about 7.5mm in diameter[10]. A tea can be made from the twigs[9].

Fruit

Unknown use

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

A purple dye is obtained from the fruit[11]. Can be used for groundcover in exposed locations[10]. Plants should be spaced about 25cm apart each way[12].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leafy branches have been used, especially for children with a fever, as a diuretic[13]. It has also been used to treat kidney problems[13].

A decoction or infusion of the stems, or the cooked berries, have been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[13]. A decoction of the leaves and stems, mixed with Hudson Bay tea and young spruce tree tips, has been used in the treatment of colds[13].

A decoction of the roots has been used as an eyewash to remove a growth[13].

Unknown part

Astringent
Diuretic
Kidney
Ophthalmic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be very slow to germinate, stored seed requires 5 months warm then 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[10]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on 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 of half-ripe wood, 3cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Takes 3 weeks. Good percentage[14][10].

Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 3cm with a heel, October in a frame. Requires shade. Good percentage[14][10].

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



Cultivation

A calcifuge plant, it is easily grown in a lime-free soil[10]. Prefers a moist sandy peaty soil and some shade[1][3].

The two names var. 'Rubrum' and var. 'Purpureum' are of doubtful application to this species and may refer to E. eamesii[10].

Plants are usually dioecious though hermaphrodite forms are known. Male and female plants will normally need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Empetrum nigrum. 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 Empetrum nigrum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Empetrum nigrum
Genus
Empetrum
Family
Empetraceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Medicinal uses
[13]
Material uses & Functions
[11][10][12]
Botanic
[7][15][10]
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
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
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
0.3 x meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious

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"image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Empetrum nigrum a1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  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. ? 3.03.13.2 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences (1978-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.2 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.610.710.810.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  12. ? 12.012.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.5 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  15. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Empetrum_nigrum&oldid=77042"
Facts about "Empetrum nigrum"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyEmpetraceae +
Belongs to genusEmpetrum +
Functions asGround cover +
Has common nameCrowberry +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partFruit + and Unknown part +
Has edible useUnknown use + and Tea +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile +, Bee +, Flies + and Lepidoptera +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has hardiness zone3 +
Has imageEmpetrum nigrum a1.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye +
Has mature height0.3 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAstringent +, Diuretic +, Kidney + and Ophthalmic +
Has primary imageEmpetrum nigrum a1.jpg +
Has search nameempetrum nigrum + and x +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid + and Neutral +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameEmpetrum nigrum +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +