Scientific Name:
Vaccinium macrocarpon
Pronunciation:
vack-SIN-ee-um mack-roe-KAR-pun
Common Name:
cranberry
Family Name:
Ericaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen, Ground cover
Key ID Features:
Leaves elliptical with rounded ends, about 12mm long; flowers with white or pink reflexed petals in late spring; berries sour-tasting, red or pink, 9-14mm wide, harvested in October, persistent.
Habit:
Irregular
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.1 - 0.2m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Canada - central, Canada - eastern, U.S. - central, U.S. - northeast
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Ground cover, Urban agriculture
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Elliptic
Apices:
Rounded
Bases:
Rounded
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Pink
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Additional Info:
May be in small clusters
Fruit Type:
Berry (true), Edible
Fruit Colour:
Red
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Edible, Persistent, Botanically a false berry due to the inferior ovary (calyx opposite the pedicel like in pomes and the floral tube forms a thin layer of accessory tissue over the exocarp)
Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Red, Brown
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Abiotic disorder, Beetles or weevils, Blight or needle cast, Fungal leaf spot, Virus
