Common Name: Grouseberry

General Information

Vaccinium scoparium is a low-growing deciduous shrub forming clusters of stems 7 - 20cm tall, occasionally to 30cm; the plant spreads freely by means of rhizomes and can form extensive colonies[].
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The berries were much-liked and gathered in quantity by the native American peoples - harvesting was probably done using wooden or fish-bone combs. The small fruit size, low yields, and difficult harvesting make commercial prospects for the plant questionable[]. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - British Columbia and Alberta, south to California, Colorado and New Mexico

Habitat

Usually found at high elevations[]. Alpine and subalpine meadows, heaths, coniferous forests, talus slopes; at elevations from 700 - 3,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.15 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[, ]. Plants are found in the wild on dry to moist, well drained, rocky, sandy and gravelly loams, often on soils of low fertility[]. 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[].
A slow-growing plant[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
The plant is fairly tolerant of fire damage - top growth is usually killed, but the plant generally resprouts from the roots[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and delicious, but rather small[]. The fruits are used in pies, jellies, jams, breads, muffins etc[, , , , ]. The dried fruits can be used to flavour other foods or to thicken soups[]. The red to bluish-purple berries are around 4 - 6mm in diameter[].

The fresh or dried leaves can be used to make a kind of tea.

Medicinal

Antiseptic, astringent, carminative, hypoglycaemic[].
An infusion of the dried, pulverized leaves has been used in the treatment of nausea and to increase the appetite[].
The dried and powdered fruits have been given to children to improve their appetite[].

Other Uses

The branches can be used as brooms[].

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[].