Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Common Bearberry, Kinninnick, Mealberry, Hog Cranberry, Sandberry, Mountain Box, Bear's Grape, Creashak)


Botanical Information

FamilyEricaceae
GenusArctostaphylos
Speciesuva-ursi
CategoryWoody
OriginNorth America, North Eurasia
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Tea can be made from the leaves, stems or roots and have some medicinal properties (antiseptic, astringent and diuretic). Fruit is edible for humans, but generally flavourless and mealy.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone4
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone2 - 5a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-35 - (-29)
Temperature (°F)-30 - (-20)
Height16 - 32 cm
Spread1 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodApril

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionMakes an excellent ground cover and is native to Canada. Does especially well on light soils and should only be used in dry locations.
ID CharacteristicA creeping alpine with small white, pink-tinged flowers with red fruit.
ShapeLow, spreading.
LandscapeLarge scale ground cover, used to prevent soil erosion on slopes and hillsides.
PropagationSeeds have impermeable seed coats and dormant embryos; acid scarification for 3-6 hours followed by 2-3 months of warm and 2-3 months of cold stratification resulted in 30-60% germination according to Michael Dirr.
CultivationGrow in full sun or light shade in well-draining but moist soil that is lime-free.
PestsBlack mildew, leaf galls and rust.
HabitatCicumboreal covering Europe, Asia, North America, south to Virginia and Northern California. Covers alpine moors and heaths, on the scree and boulder, often on thin layers of peaty detritus.
Bark/Stem DescriptionReddish-brown branchlets, with papery peeling bark on older twigs.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSolitary, sessile, ovoid with 3 exposed scales.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves are alternate, simple, obovate or obovate-oblong and 5mm to 3 cm long. Lustrous dark green above and lighter underneath.
Flower DescriptionSmall white tinged pink urn-shaped flowers. Borne in nodding racemes; dainty and beautiful.
Fruit DescriptionFleshy drupe with a lustrous bright red colour.
Colour DescriptionLeaves are a glossy bright green to dark green in the summer and changing to a bronze - reddish colour in autumn and winter. Foliage effect is unique and quite different from most ground covers.
Texture DescriptionFine.

Photographs