Common Name:

General Information

Vaccinium sieboldii is an erect, deciduous shrub that can grow 100 - 200cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
This species is listed as endangered in Japan. It has a very limited range, 65 km wide, in central Japan. Many plants are thought to have been lost because of habitat destruction in the past 50 years. Loss of pine forests from pine-wilt disease is thought to be a major threat to this species[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - central Japan (Honshu)

Habitat

Edges of wet herbages in lowland areas[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, 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[, ]. 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[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The globose bluish-black fruits are 5 - 6mm 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[].