Common Name:

General Information

Vaccinium nummularia is a much-branched, evergreen shrub growing 50 - 70cm tall. It is sometimes epiphytic with pendulous branches, growing in the forks of trees[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Himalayan regions of China (Xizang, Yunnan), India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar

Habitat

On rocks and as a forest epiphyte; at elevations up to 4,000 metres[]. Rocky places of montane forest understories, thickets on mountain slopes; at elevations from 2,000 - 3,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Vaccinium nummularia is not reliably hardy outside of the mildest regions of the temperate zone. It can tolerate some frost, with short-lived falls to around -5°c, but cannot tolerate persistant cold spells and the young growth in spring is particularly vulnerable to damage[, ]. Plants generally grow well in a woodland garden in the south-west of Britain (hardiness zone 8 - 9)[].
Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[, ]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[]. Requires semi-shade[]. Requires shelter from strong winds[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. The dark purple berry is about 6mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A good ground cover, it is ideal for clothing banks.

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position 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, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[]. Slow and difficult.
Layering in late summer or early autumn[]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[]. Takes 18 months[].
Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[].