Plant Data Sheet
Species (common name, Latin
name)
Bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Range
Coastal
Climate, elevation
Tolerates cold winters and dry summers; found from sea level
to 11,000’. (nmsu.edu)
Local occurrence (where, how
common)
Dry open mountainsides; frequently
occurring. (nmsu.edu)
Habitat preferences
Prefers sunny and dry locations with sandy
or gravely acidic soil. (nmsu.edu)
Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator,
competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)
Tolerates limited trampling, difficult to
repopulate after logging disturbances.
(fs.fed.us)
Associated species
Grand fir, Lodge pole pine, Juniperus. (fs.fed.us)
May be
collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)
Best propagated by cuttings.
(Hartmann & Kester’s)
Collection restrictions or
guidelines
Take terminal cuttings in late winter or early spring.
(Hartmann & Kester’s)
Seed germination (needs
dormancy breaking?)
Seed has a double-dormancy that requires breaking. Three to six hours scarification in sulfuric
acid or insertion into boiling water and then removed from heat to cool in the
water for twenty four hours. (Hartmann &
Kester’s)
Seed life (can be stored,
short shelf-life, long shelf-life)
A hard seed coat and dormant embryo make for a long
shelf-life.
Recommended seed storage
conditions
Probably best attained by cool dry
storage.
Propagation recommendations
(plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
Cuttings should be submerged in a solution of 5% to 10%
Clorox, then IBA talc form at 8000 ppm. Intermittent mist and bottom heat of 21° C.
(Hartmann & Kester’s)
Soil or
medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)
Any slightly acidic soil (ecy.wa.gov)
Installation form (form,
potential for successful outcomes, cost)
Good ground cover in sunny locations. Grows 6”-12” in height with
a spread of up to 12’.
(ucdavis.edu)
Recommended planting density
Plant 8’ apart from each other, and about 8’ away from
fences, paths, ditches, ect. (dot.ca.gov)
Plant only 2’ apart (ecy.wa.gov)
Care requirements after
installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
Water deeply weekly, more frequent in hot
weather. Best if planted in
fall. Once established deep watering
every two to three weeks will give best appearance. (ucdavis.edu)
Normal rate of growth or
spread; lifespan
Slow grower (ucdavis.edu) Lifespan of 25 years (ecy.wa.gov)
Sources cited
http://medplant.nmsu.edu/ursi.htm
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pubs/93-30/table3.html
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma/native/ts15.htm
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/40/959.pdf
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/airspace/documents/plant_list.pdf
Hartmann & Kester’s
Plant Propagation Principles and Practices. 2002 Pearson Educatin, Inc.,
Data compiled by (student
name and date)
Rob Wines