Black Crowberry
Empetrum nigrum
- Native to:
- Albania, Aleutian Is., Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States
iNaturalist: © alexey_p (iNaturalist #182609050)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Empetrum
- Species:
- Empetrum nigrum
- USDA Symbol:
- EMNI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Freija fritillary (Clossiana freija)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 3.5 - 5.5 (strongly acidic to acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in heathlands and bogs; prefers cold climates
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 2-3 months; germination is often slow and erratic.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 60 days
Establishment: E. nigrum is found in bogs, heathlands, tundra and high mountains from Alaska east across northern Canada to Greenland.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring. GA3 required.