This species is closely related to the Black Sea species Vaccinium arctostaphylos, and has been confused with it in gardens in the past[].

Common Name: Madeiran Whortleberry

General Information

Vaccinium padifolium is a much-branched evergreen shrub or a small tree, often no more than 180 - 250cm tall in cultivation though it can reach 3 metres or more in its native habitat. Plants are often deciduous, especially in colder winters[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Macaronesia - Madeira

Habitat

Mountains; at elevations from 900 - 1,500 metres[]. Sub-alpine shrubberies, degraded pastures, draws and edges of coniferous woods and pine barrens; at elevations from 1,200 to 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Vaccinium padifolium grows wild on the subtropical to warm temperate island of Madeira, where winters are mild though frosts do occur. It has proved to be hardy in cultivation at Kew Gardens (hardiness zone 7 - 8), growing best in a sunny position with the added protection of a woodland garden, but does better in milder and moister climates[, ].
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 shelter from strong winds[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
This species is closely related to Vaccinium arctostaphylos[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet[, , ]. Black, juicy and gratefully acid[]. The black to dark blue, globose berries are around 8 - 15mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

None known

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[].