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Alpine Bearberry; Black Bearberry

Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos alpina (L.) Spreng.
Synonym: Arbutus alpina, Arctous alpina, Mairania alpina
Family: Ericaceae

Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 20. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc.

Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 5-8

Frost Tolerance: Extremely cold resistant

Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun

Origin: Circumpolar: northeastern USA (New Hampshire, Maine, Alaska), eastern Canada, northern Europe, in sandy areas

Growth Habits: Low shrub, 4 to 12 inches tall (10-30 cm), trailing branches

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings in summer

Blooming Habits:
Pinkish white flowers, by 2 to 4, in terminal raceme, in the spring, the globose fruits are red when maturing, black when ripe, in the fall, they measure 6 to 8 mm. The fruits are edible but flavorless.

List of All the Plants | More in the Ericaceae family

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