Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (= Arbutus uva-ursi), commonly known as Bearberry or Common Bearberry, is a subshrub.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 11.1 History 11.2 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi was already described and the name validly published by Carl Linnaeus. It was not until 1825, however, that Curt Joachim Sprengel reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a species in the genus Arctostaphylos (manzanita) which contains 50 species and belongs to the family of the Ericaceae (Heath Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The subshrubs grow to a height of approximately 0,5 meters.They grow at a moderate rate and have a long lifespan.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is an evergreen plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are dark green and oblanceolate with entire margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are pitcher-shaped and pink. The plants bloom from April to June. The flowers are arranged in racemes.

The red fruits are drupes and very ornamental.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is native to the whole of Europe, the Caucasus, west Sibiria, east Sibiria, Alaska, Canada, the Northeast of the US, the central Northeast of the US, the northern Prairie States of the US, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest and the Northwest of the US, California and Greenland.

[edit] Cultivation

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi prefers a sunny to half shady site and can withstand temperatures down to -40º C. It grows best in sand and sandy-gritty soil, sandy or pebbly, loamy soil that is moist. The plants are highly drought tolerant. They will not grow in anaerobic soils and are moderately tolerant of limy conditions.

[edit] Uses

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

[edit] History

[edit] Arctostaphylos uva-ursi in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Arctostaphylos uva-ursifr:Arctostaphylos uva-ursi