Origin
The Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum (Fern. & Wieg.) D. Löve, commonly known as the Black Crowberry, is a flowering plant found in the family Ericaceae. It is native to North America, particularly in Arctic regions and alpine tundra in Alaska, Canada, and Greenland.
Common Names
The Black Crowberry is commonly known by various names such as Blackberry Crowberry, Atropurpureum Crowberry, Stemless Crowberry, or simply Black Crowberry. These names refer to the plant's black, berry-like fruit and the dark purplish color of its stems and leaves.
Uses
The Black Crowberry has various uses for both humans and wildlife. Indigenous communities in Alaska and Canada harvest the berries and use them for food, medicine, and dye. The berries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which make them a nutritious food source. The plant also has medicinal properties used in treating various ailments such as diarrhea, stomach problems, and infections.
The Black Crowberry is also an important wildlife food source, particularly for birds, caribou, and bears. The plant's dense, low-growing shrubs provide cover and nesting sites for small animals and birds.
General Appearance
The Black Crowberry is a small evergreen shrub that grows up to 30 cm tall. Its stem is woody and dark purplish-brown in color, with small round leaves that are also dark purplish-green. The plant's flowers are white or pink, small, and bell-shaped. They grow in clusters along the stem. The plant's fruit is a black, shiny, berry-like drupe that is about 6-8 mm in diameter.
The Black Crowberry is an essential component of the Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystem, providing important ecological services such as soil stabilization, carbon storage, and biodiversity.
Light Requirements
Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum thrives under full sunlight to partial shade conditions. A bright spot with filtered sunlight is ideal for the plant. Avoid direct sunlight during the hot summer months as it can damage the foliage.
Temperature Requirements
The plant prefers a cold environment with temperatures ranging between 0 °C to 18 °C (32 °F to 64.4 °F). It can withstand frosty weather and grow well in colder regions such as mountain ranges. However, it may suffer under extreme heat and humidity conditions. Ensure that the temperature remains consistent throughout the year.
Soil Requirements
The plant requires well-draining, acidic soil with a pH level between 3.5 to 5.5. Rocky or sandy soil with high organic matter composition is ideal. The plant does not tolerate waterlogged soil and may die if exposed to excessive moisture. Ensure a regular supply of water without saturating the soil.
Cultivation Methods
Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum (Fern. & Wieg.) D. Löve, commonly known as atropurpureum crowberry, is a shrubby plant that requires well-draining soil and full or partial sun exposure. You can propagate this plant through cuttings in early summer, and once established, it needs minimal care.
Watering Needs
Atropurpureum crowberries are drought-tolerant plants, and in their natural habitat, they receive moisture from fog and mist. When growing them in containers or garden beds, ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant deeply once a week, especially during hot, dry seasons, and reduce watering during the rainy season.
Fertilization
Atropurpureum crowberry requires minimal fertilization. However, you can add a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season to enhance growth and health. Use fertilizers with low nitrogen content to avoid stressing the plant and promoting excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruiting.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary for atropurpureum crowberry, but you can remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to promote new growth. You can also shape the plant to enhance its aesthetic appeal, especially when grown as a hedge or border plant. Prune the plant in late winter or early spring before the growing season commences.
Propagation of Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum
Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum, commonly known as black crowberry, can be propagated through seeds, cuttings, layering, and division.
Propagation through Seeds
The best time to collect seeds is in the late summer or early fall when the berries are mature. The seeds should be cleaned and stratified for three months at 4°C to break dormancy. After stratification, the seeds can be sown in pots or directly in the ground in the spring. The pots or the ground should be kept moist until germination occurs.
Propagation through Cuttings
Cuttings of Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum can be taken in the late spring or early summer when the new growth is still flexible. The cuttings should be about 10cm long and should be taken from healthy plants. The leaves on the lower half of the cutting should be removed, and the cutting should be treated with rooting hormones. The cuttings can be planted in a rooting medium and kept warm and moist until rooting occurs.
Propagation through Layering
The layering method involves bending a low-growing branch of Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum to the ground and burying it in a shallow trench. The branch should be notched or wounded on the underside before burying to encourage rooting. After six months, the layered branch can be separated from the parent plant and transplanted to a new location.
Propagation through Division
Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum can also be propagated through division during the active growing season. The plant should be carefully dug up and divided into smaller sections, making sure that each section has a healthy root system. The divided plants can then be replanted in a suitable location.
Disease Management for Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum
The plant Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum is resistant to most common diseases, but occasionally it may be affected by some fungal diseases, such as leaf spot. Leaf spot presents as small, circular, dark lesions that typically have a yellow or brown halo surrounding them.
To manage leaf spot, remove the infected plant parts immediately, and avoid over-watering the plant as it may worsen the condition. Applying a fungicide may also be necessary.
Pest Management for Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum
The plant Empetrum eamesii Fern. & Wieg. ssp. atropurpureum is not particularly vulnerable to pests, but some insects may occasionally feed on it, such as spider mites.
To manage spider mites, regularly inspect and clean the plant from any spider webs, avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, and use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control the pests.
It is important to closely monitor the plant regularly, maintaining good cultural practices, such as proper watering and fertilization to keep it healthy and vigorous, and catch any potential problems early on.
