Common Name: Rockberry

General Information

Empetrum eamesii is a densely branched, prostrate, trailing, evergreen shrub with stems around 50 - 100cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover plant in exposed conditions.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

North-eastern N. America - Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland, Prince Edward I., and Nova Scotia.

Habitat

Exposed sands and siliceous gravels and rocks[]. Sand dunes, acidic coastal rock barrens, alpine heath; at elevations from sea level to 900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.15 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A calcifuge plant, it is easily grown in a lime-free soil[]. Prefers a moist sandy peaty soil and some shade[, ].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. The pink or red, translucent fruits are around 3 - 5mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Succeeds as a ground cover plant in exposed positions[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be very slow to germinate, stored seed requires 5 months warm then 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Takes 3 weeks. Good percentage[, ].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 3cm with a heel, early autumn in a frame. Requires shade. Good percentage[, ].