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Empetrum eamesii hermaphroditum - (Hagerup.)D.Löve.

Common Name Mountain Crowberry, Rockberry
Family Empetraceae
USDA hardiness 3-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats On mountain tops and moors, mostly at high altitudes but down to sea level in the far north of its range[17].
Range Northern Europe, including Britain, mountains in southern Europe, Greenland, Canada and Siberia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Empetrum eamesii hermaphroditum Mountain Crowberry, Rockberry


Empetrum eamesii hermaphroditum Mountain Crowberry, Rockberry

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Purple, Red. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Prostrate, Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Empetrum eamesii hermaphroditum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in March. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

E. hermaphroditum. E. nigrum hermaphroditum.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Tea

Fruit - raw or cooked[61]. A watery flavour, it is mainly used for making drinks, pies, preserves etc[183]. The Inuit dry or freeze them for winter use[183]. The fruit is about 4mm in diameter[200]. A tea can be made from the twigs[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Plants can be used for groundcover in exposed locations[200].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Erosion control, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden. A calcifuge plant, it is easily grown in a moist lime-free peaty soil[11, 182, 200]. Unlike most members of this genus, this species is hermaphrodite and self-fertile[183]. There has been some confusion over the name of this plant. Some authorities refer to it as E. hermaphroditum and others include it in E. nigrum or E. eamesii[200]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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[200]. 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[78, 200]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 3cm with a heel, October in a frame. Requires shade. Good percentage[78, 200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Empetrum atropurpureumPurple CrowberryShrub0.2 -  LMSNM203
Empetrum eamesiiRockberry, Purple crowberryShrub0.2 3-8  LMSNM203
Empetrum nigrumCrowberry, Black crowberry, Black CrowberryShrub0.3 3-8  LMHSNM321
Empetrum rubrum Shrub0.3 - SLMHSNM213

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Hagerup.)D.Löve.

Botanical References

1117200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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