Empetrum nigrum L.

Stem bushy-branched, diffusely spreading, to 4 dm long, minutely stipitate-glandular when young; lvs numerous, crowded, on the older parts of the stem widely spreading or reflexed, narrowly elliptic or linear-oblong, 4–8 mm; fr 6–9 mm, black, often glaucous. On rocks; circumboreal, s. to the mts. of N. Engl. and N.Y. (and to e. L.I.), n. Mich., and n. Minn. Summer. Typical E. nigrum is a European diploid with unisexual fls, the plants dioecious. Our plants belong to the circumboreal tetraploid var. hermaphroditum (Hagerup) T. J. Sørensen, with perfect or sometimes partly unisexual fls.

It is a temperate plant. It grows in open peaty soil. It grows in exposed locations in cool temperate regions. They are very cold hardy. They can grow in sun of semi-shade. It is tolerant of salt. It is tolerant of pollution. It suits hardiness zones 3-8.

The fruit are eaten, fresh or cooked. The flavour of the berry improves after freezing. They are used in drinks, puddings, pies, jellies and ice cream. They are also made into wine. The fruit are usually only eaten in small quantities. They can be made into a drink with sour milk. The twigs are brewed into a tea.

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Seed need 4 months of warm treatment then 2-3 months of cold treatment before they will germinate. Semi-ripe cuttings taken during summer will root in 3 weeks. They can also be grown from suckers. Plants need to be 30 cm apart.