Plant Data Sheet
Vaccinium oxycoccus
(bog cranberry, small cranberry, wild cranberry, swamp cranberry)
Range
This species
can be found from
Climate, elevation
Found
in cool temperate climates. It is found
in coniferous swamps.
Local
occurrence (where, how common)
May
be found in a bog garden, woodland, sunny edge, dappled shade, or as a ground
cover.
Habitat preferences
It thrives in
moist coastal and boreal forests, and requires a moist or wet soil. The soil is usually very poorly drained. In the boggy areas the soil ph is very
acidic, 2.9-4.7. Where
as in the fen areas the soil ph is more alkaline, 6.0-7.5.
Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)
It
can be an early colonizer of secondary succession. Fire is a very important aspect. It is the first to colonize a burned bog
area. The abundance increases with
frequent fires. This species is shade
intolerant, so mostly is related to having a coniferous overstory establish.
Associated species
Tsuga canadensis, Tsuga heterophylla, Thuja occidentalis, Thuja plicata, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, Chamaecyparis thyoides, Populus tremuloides, Populus balsamifera, Betula pumila, Betula glandulosa, Betula papyrifera, Betula alleghaniensis, Fraxinus nigra, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Andromeda glaucophylla, Kalmia polifolia, Sarracenia purpurea, Ledum groenlandicum, Rubus chamaemorus, Rhododendron canadense, Rhamnus frangula, Drosera spp., Eriophorum virginatum, Eriophorum angustifolium, Carex spp., Cladina spp., and Cladonia spp.
May be collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)
Seeds,
cuttings, layering, or the division of suckers may be collected.
Collection restrictions or guidelines
Fruits
ripen from August to October, and may persist through the winter.
Seed germination (needs dormancy breaking?)
Cold stratification is necessary to break dormancy. The suggested period of cold stratification is 2-3 months. Then store seeds at 32 degrees F for 6-7 months, allowing germination to take place at 77 degrees F. Seed life (can be stored, short shelf-life, long shelf-life)
No
information found
Recommended seed storage conditions
No
information found
Propagation recommendations (plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
Vegetative
propagation is recommended.
Soil or medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)
If
seeds are sown, it is recommended to have a lime-free soil mix. Mature plants like highly acidic soil, pH 2.9
- 4.7.
Installation form (form, potential for successful outcomes, cost)
Seeds
are the cheapest, but are very rare.
Vegetative cuttings are common but are slow and difficult. Layering can take up to 18 months. Division of suckers is the easiest and best
chance of success.
Recommended planting density
If
planted as a ground cover, it is recommended to plant 1 meter apart; it will
form a thick carpet when they are thriving.
Care requirements after installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
The
like very soggy, wet conditions, so water until established continuing to keep
a boggy type soil.
Normal rate of growth or spread; lifespan
Very fast establisher. It regenerates quickly from sprouts of the
rhizomes. 0.1 – 1 meter in full
height.
Sources cited
1.) http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Vaccinium+oxycoccos&CAN=LATIND
2.) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/vacoxy/all.html
3.) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/eao/culres/ethbot/t-z/Vaccinium.htm
4.) http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/shrubs/vacciniumoxy.html
Data compiled by: Kevin Klein,