There has been considerable confusion over nomenclature in the genus Empetrum, especially with regard to the taxons Empetrum nigrum and Empetrum hermaphroditum Hagerup. We are following the treatment from the Flora of North America (see http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200012671 Accessed 09/04/2023) and Plants of the World Online (https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30371508-2 Accessed 09/04/2023), in which Empetrum hermaphroditum is treated as a synonym of Empetrum nigrum. The bisexual plants that have at times been referred to Empetrum hermaphroditum are now treated as Empetrum nigrum. Whilst most European forms of Empetrum are dioecious, it is accepted that most American forms are bisexual[].

Common Name: Crowberry

General Information

Empetrum nigrum 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, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover in exposed conditions.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Cosmopolitan through the subarctic to subalpine regions of the northern Hemisphere

Habitat

Moors and mountain tops, and in the drier parts of blanket bogs[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A calcifuge plant, it is easily grown in a lime-free soil[]. Prefers a moist sandy peaty soil and some shade[, ].
Most American forms of this species are bisexual (though some are dioecious) and most European forms are dioecious. Dioecious plants will require male and female forms to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. It can taste slightly acid or insipid[]. Not very desirable[], it tastes best after a frost[]. A watery flavour, it is mainly used for making drinks, pies, preserves etc[]. The Inuit dry or freeze them for winter use[]. The fruit can hang on the plant all winter[]. The fruit is about 7.5mm in diameter[].

A tea can be made from the twigs[].

Medicinal

The leafy branches have been used, especially for children with a fever, as a diuretic[]. It has also been used to treat kidney problems[].

A decoction or infusion of the stems, or the cooked berries, have been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

A decoction of the leaves and stems, mixed with Hudson Bay tea and young spruce tree tips, has been used in the treatment of colds[].

A decoction of the roots has been used as an eyewash to remove a growth[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be used for groundcover in exposed locations[]. Plants should be spaced about 25cm apart each way[].

Other Uses

A purple dye is obtained from the fruit[].

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[, ].