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purple crowberry

Scientific Name: Empetrum eamesii ssp. atropurpureum

Family: Empetraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: NY (purple crowberry)

       

Purple Crowberry (Empetrum eamesii)

The purple crowberry, scientifically known as Empetrum eamesii, is a member of the Crowberry Family (Empetraceae). It's a creeping, mat-forming shrub recognized for its needle-like leaves and small purple flowers.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions needle-like leaves, which might pose a risk of injury if ingested.
  • The plant produces berries that start green, then turn pink and purple, eventually black.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions needle-like leaves, which might pose a risk of injury if handled or ingested.
  • The plant produces berries that start green, then turn pink and purple, eventually black.

Common Names

  • Purple Crowberry
  • Rockberry
  • Rock Crowberry
  • Red Crowberry (Empetrum rubrum)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Empetrum eamesii Fernald & Wiegand
  • Genus: Empetrum
  • Family: Empetraceae (Crowberry Family)
  • Synonyms: Empetrum atropurpureum Fernald & Wiegand, Empetrum eamesii ssp. atropurpureum
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species, Subspecies (e.g., Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum)

Distribution and Habitat

  • A denizen of boreal habitats.
  • In New England, it inhabits mountaintops.
  • Found across British Columbia (BC) from sea level to alpine regions.
  • Rare in Newfoundland and Labrador (NF, LAB).
  • Specific locations mentioned include: St. John's, Newfoundland; Nagles Hill; and Three Pond Barrens.
  • Greenland, Angmassalik Region, Tiniteqlaaq, Turf and Rocks

Morphological Characteristics

  • A creeping, mat-forming evergreen shrub.
  • Grows to 0.2 meters (0ft 8in) in height and 0.5 meters (1ft 8in) in spread.
  • Has needle-like leaves.
  • Produces small, individual purple flowers during the summer. The purple anthers are conspicuous.
  • Fruit color can be black, red, or purple and are round in shape.

Ecological Role

  • One of the earliest flowering native species after Empetrum nigrum.

Quirky Facts

  • This species was first recognized to be present in New York State in 1990.
  • Crowberry is a dioecious plant, meaning that individual shrubs produce either male or female flowers.

Uses

  • The fruit is edible, and can be eaten raw.
  • Used to make "Inuit Tea," which has a fruity aroma and slightly astringent and acidic taste.
  • The mild flavor and bluish-purple color that Crowberry adds to food makes it a suitable additive.

Further Information

  • Discover Life: Discover Life
  • British Database of World Flora and Fauna
  • Dave's Garden
  • Wildflowers Count