We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Arctostaphylos alpina - (L.)Spreng.

Common Name Alpine Bearberry
Family Ericaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mountain moors[17] and stony places on calcareous Alps up to 2500 metres.
Range N. Europe, including Britain, N. Asia to Japan, west to Greenland and northern N. America..
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Arctostaphylos alpina Alpine Bearberry


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alpine_bearberry_in_Varrio_Nature_Reserve,_Finland.jpg
Arctostaphylos alpina Alpine Bearberry
http://flickr.com/photos/baggis/2968794136

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Arctostaphylos alpina is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 1 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Arbutus alpina. Arctous alpina. (L.)Niedenzu.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 62, 105]. Very juicy but slightly bitter[101]. Another report says that they are juicy but insipid[257]. The flavour is much improved by cooking[257]. Not as nice as many other wild fruits, but nor are they unpleasant[2]. The fruit is about 6 - 9mm in diameter[200, 266], it is not usually produced very freely[257].

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.
Antirheumatic  Blood purifier  Narcotic

An infusion of the pounded plant has been used as an external wash in the treatment of rheumatism and general illnesses[257]. A decoction of the bark is used in the treatment of internal blood diseases[257]. The leaves are narcotic and have been smoked to cause intoxication[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a deep moist well-drained light or medium lime-free loam in sun or semi-shade[182, 200]. Prefers a cool damp position[11]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[134]. Grows well in a rock garden[11]. This plant is placed in a separate genus, as Arctuous alpinus, by some botanists due to its deciduous habit[11, 200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a shady position in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[78]. Pre-soak dried seed and sow as early in the year as possible[134]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 months at 15°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of side shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August to December in a frame. Takes one year[78]. Division in early spring. Take care because the plant resents root disturbance[200]. Pot the divisions up and keep them in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing away actively. Layering in spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

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
Arctostaphylos columbianaHairy ManzanitaShrub1.5 6-9  LMSNM212
Arctostaphylos glaucaBigberry ManzanitaShrub4.0 7-10  LMSNDM223
Arctostaphylos manzanitaManzanita, Whiteleaf manzanita, Konocti manzanita, Contra Costa manzanita, Roof's manzanita, WieslanShrub2.0 7-10  LMSNDM313
Arctostaphylos nevadensisPine-Mat ManzanitaShrub0.1 5-9 MLMSNM213
Arctostaphylos parryanaParry ManzanitaShrub1.8 -  LMSNDM101
Arctostaphylos patulaGreenleaf ManzanitaShrub2.0 5-9  LMSNM311
Arctostaphylos pungensPointleaf ManzanitaShrub0.0 -  LMSNDM112
Arctostaphylos stanfordianaStanford's manzanita, Rincon manzanitaShrub1.5 5-9  LMSNDM301
Arctostaphylos tomentosaDowny Manzanita, Woollyleaf manzanita, Brittleleaf manzanita, Dacite manzanita, Rosy manzanita, SanShrub1.5 7-10  LMSNM333
Arctostaphylos uva-ursiBearberryShrub0.1 4-8 MLMFSNM344
Vaccinium arctostaphylosCaucasian WhortleberryShrub3.0 5-9  LMSNM300

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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Spreng.

Botanical References

1117200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

ian   Sat Apr 18 2009

suppliers?

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Arctostaphylos alpina  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.