Vaccinium erythrocarpum
Michaux
Southern mountain cranberry, Bearberry, Dingleberry
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Summary
Source: WikipediaVaccinium erythrocarpum, commonly known as southern mountain cranberry or bearberry, more rarely as mountain blueberry or dingleberry, is a deciduous flowering shrub native to the Southeastern United States.
Description
An open shrub. It grows 90-180 cm high. The leaves are narrowly oval and 4-6 cm long by 2 cm wide. They are green and slightly downy underneath. There are small teeth. The flowers are 1.3 cm long and narrow. There are 4 white or pink petals. These curve back at the tip. The fruit are 8-12 mm across. The fruit are scarlet berries which let the light through. They can be purple or black. They have little taste.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and works well in jellies. The berries are transparent and scarlet with an excellent flavour, though opinions on taste vary — some describe them as somewhat sour, while others find them insipid or sweetish.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are eaten fresh. They are also eaten in jellies.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Known Hazards
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows on high mountains in the United States. It can grow in boggy areas or on rocky slopes.
Where It Grows
North America, USA,
Cultivation
Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. Requires shelter from strong winds. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. This plant has been recommended for improvement by cultivation for its edible fruit. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.
Propagation
Sow seed in late winter in a greenhouse using a lime-free potting mix, barely covering the seed. Stored seed may need up to 3 months of cold stratification. Alternatively, sow fresh seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once they reach about 5cm tall, and grow on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse through at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5–8cm with a heel, can be taken in August and rooted in a frame, though this is slow and difficult. Layering can be done in late summer or early autumn, or in spring according to some sources, and takes 18 months. Suckers can be divided in spring or early autumn.
Other Uses
None known
Dangerous Lookalikes
This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.
Deadly Nightshade
Atropa belladonna
Joan Simon from Barcelona, España
Southern mountain cranberry
Vaccinium erythrocarpum
(c) A. R., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by A. R.
Deadly Nightshade: Tall herbaceous plant (1-2m), single shiny black cherry-sized berries, star-shaped calyx, large oval leaves, sweet but dangerous taste.
Southern mountain cranberry: Low woody shrub, berries in clusters with crown/remnant calyx ring, sweet taste.
Synonyms
References (8)
- Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 97
- Fl. bor.-amer. 1:227. 1803
- Glowinski, L., 1999, The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia. Lothian. p 164
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 666
Show all 8 references Hide references
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 893
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Trehane, J., 2004, Blueberries, Cranberries and Other Vacciniums. Timber Press. p 226
