Vaccinium nummularia

Hook. f. & Thomson ex C. B. Clarke

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit 15 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

A frost-tender evergreen shrub growing 0.3 m tall and 0.5 m wide, retaining foliage year-round. Hermaphroditic flowers appear April to May, pollinated by insects, with seeds ripening August to September. Tolerates light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soils with mildly to very acid pH. Grows in semi-shade and prefers moist soil.

Description

A small evergreen shrub. It grows 30-40 cm high and spreads 30-40 cm wide. The leaves are rounded and have fine teeth. The leaves are 18 mm long. The flowers are small and pink and occur in clusters. The fruit are dark blue-black. They are 5 mm across. They are edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit, about 6mm in diameter, can be eaten raw or cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows naturally trailing over rocks in Bhutan and Sikkim. In SW China it grows on mountain slopes between 2,000-3,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet,

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 semi-shade. Requires shelter from strong winds. Plants are not very frost-resistant and are particularly susceptible to late spring frosts, they succeed outdoors only in the milder areas of Britain. They grow well in a woodland garden in the south-west of the country. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. 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 for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Half-ripe cuttings, 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

This plant makes a good ground cover and is well suited to clothing banks.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

DEADLY

Deadly Nightshade

Atropa belladonna

Joan Simon from Barcelona, España

Safe

Vaccinium nummularia

Deadly Nightshade: Tall herbaceous plant (1-2m), single shiny black cherry-sized berries, star-shaped calyx, large oval leaves, sweet but dangerous taste.

Vaccinium nummularia: Low woody shrub, berries in clusters with crown/remnant calyx ring, sweet taste.

Also Known As

Kali gedi

References (6)

Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 1040
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1453
J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 3:451. 1882
Khakurel, D., et al, 2021, Foods from the wild: Local knowledge, use pattern and distribution in Western Nepal. PLOS ONE.
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Show all 6 references