Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana

Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana (= Cassiope mertensiana), commonly known as Western Moss Heather, is a shrub.

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 Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana 11.1 History 11.2 Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana 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

Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana was already described and the name validly published by August Gustav Heinrich von Bongard. It was not until 1834, however, that George Don reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Western Moss Heather is a variety in the genus Cassiope (mountain heather) which contains 12 species and belongs to the family of the Ericaceae (Heath Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The shrubs grow to a height of approximately 0,15 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana is an evergreen plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems. They are dark green and oblanceolate.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are bell-shaped. The plants bloom in April. The flowers are arranged solitary.

The fruits are loculicidal capsules.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana is native to Alaska, western Canada, the Northwest of the US, California and Nevada.

[edit] Cultivation

The Western Moss Heather prefers a sunny to half shady site and can withstand temperatures down to -28,2º C. It grows best in soils that are moist.

[edit] Uses

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana

[edit] History

[edit] Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana 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 Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensianafr:Cassiope mertensiana var. mertensiana