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Weyand, Phyllis
Empetrum nigrum
Empetrum nigrum L.
Black Crowberry
Empetraceae (Crowberry Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: emni
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)
A low, dense, mounded, heather-like shrub, to 6 in. in height, with short, erect, leafy branches. The foliage is dark green and linear, resembling tiny, fat fir needles. The leaves are arranged in whorls of four along the tough, prostrate stems. Small, rather inconspicuous, purplish-brown flowers occur in leaf axils and are followed by showy, purplish-black fruits.
Easier to grow than its heather look-alikes, the phyllodoces.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Stems prostrate, trailing, and densely branched, up to about 3 feet long.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Black, Purple
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , MI , MN , NH , NY , OR , VT , WACanada: BC , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Circumpolar, s. in N. America through the Cascades to n. CA & at high altitudes in n. New England
Native Habitat: Peat bogs; moist, mossy places; exposed, rocky bluffs
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Various soils.
Conditions Comments: Easier to grow than its heather look-alikes, the phyllodoces.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Northern Blue butterfly (Lycaeides idas), Arctic Blue butterfly (Agriades glandon)
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
|
Northern Blue (Plebejus idas)  Larval Host |
Arctic Blue (Plebejus glandon)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Easily propagated from cuttings.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
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June 17, 2008
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National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC |
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1990 VOL. 7, NO.2 - Preservation Blooms in Recreated Prairies, New Wildflower Center Prairie Welcome...Additional resources
USDA: Find Empetrum nigrum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Empetrum nigrum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Empetrum nigrum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-07Research By: TWC Staff