Empetrum nigrum |
Origin: North American bogs.
Zone Range: 4-9
Preferred Situation: Full/semi sun; acidic humus rich soils.
Harvest Date: Tuesday 02 October, 2007
Description:
A native evergreen dwarf ground cover with tiny lance shaped leaves and 5-6mm round black berries that adorn the stems. Judging from the dense colonies, the plants seem to prefer the exposed peat & rock slope transition areas along with Ledum (Trapper's tea) between the peatbog and naturally bonsai spruce/cedar tree line. Didn't see any plants exceeding 30 cm in height, but it can spread like its Ericaceae kin, heather.
Notes:
In all my travels, this is the first time noticing this plant. At first I thought it was someone's heather plant had naturalized, but the black berries on the stems said otherwise.
Cultivation:
I've never germinated this species, but judging from its environment/companion plants/wildlife interactions, one can guess that the berries are consumed (early September) by small birds which scarify the seeds in their intestinal tracts. So to break dormancy, gently scarify by adding the seeds to a small quantity of coarse sand and gently rub between the palms for 20-40 seconds or so. Use a catch plate for any falling material. Soak seed 48 hours. Change the soak water at least twice during this time. Thinly sow in an acidic rich medium. Keep moist. May need warm stratification (15-20 C) for a 4-8 weeks followed by cold stratification for 20 weeks (or expose to fluctuating winter temps). Might need some light to germinate so barely cover the seed. Might take 2 years to germinate.
|
