Vaccinium Macrocarpon

Description

Vaccinium Macrocarpon, commonly known as the American Cranberry, is a low-growing, trailing shrub that belongs to the Ericaceae family. It is native to North America and is widely cultivated for its edible berries. The plant has a prostrate growth habit and can grow up to 2 meters in length. Its leaves are evergreen, small, and oval-shaped with a glossy dark green color. The flowers are light pink in color and appear in late spring to early summer. The fruit is a berry that is initially green and turns red when ripe. The berries are about 1 cm in diameter and have a tart flavor.

Taxonomic Information

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Spermatophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Ericales
Family	Ericaceae
Genus	Vaccinium

Appearance

The American Cranberry plant has a unique appearance that makes it easy to identify. The plant has a prostrate growth habit, with stems that can reach up to 2 meters in length. The leaves are evergreen, small, and oval-shaped with a glossy dark green color. The flowers are light pink in color and appear in late spring to early summer. The fruit is a berry that is initially green and turns red when ripe. The berries are about 1 cm in diameter and have a tart flavor. The plant has a shallow root system and prefers moist, acidic soil.

Care Guide

Proper care is important to keep your American Cranberry plant healthy and productive. Here are some tips for caring for this plant:

• Water: The American Cranberry plant requires consistent moisture, but it does not like to be waterlogged. Water the plant regularly, making sure that the soil is always moist but not waterlogged.
• Fertilization: Fertilize the plant in the spring with an acidic fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing the plant in the fall or winter.
• Soil: The American Cranberry plant prefers acidic soil with a pH between 4.0 and 5.0. If your soil is not naturally acidic, you can add sulfur to lower the pH.
• Sunlight: The American Cranberry plant prefers full sun, but it can also grow in partial shade.
• Hardiness Zones: The American Cranberry plant is hardy in zones 2-7.

Common Pests & Diseases

The American Cranberry plant is susceptible to several pests and diseases. Here are some of the most common:

• Fruit Rot: This is a common disease that affects the fruit of the American Cranberry plant. It is caused by a fungus and can be prevented by removing infected fruit and improving air circulation around the plant.
• Leaf Spot: This disease is caused by a fungus and appears as brown spots on the leaves. It can be prevented by removing infected leaves and improving air circulation around the plant.
• Cranberry Fruitworm: This is a common pest that feeds on the fruit of the American Cranberry plant. It can be controlled by applying an insecticide.
• Sparganothis Fruitworm: This is another common pest that feeds on the fruit of the American Cranberry plant. It can be controlled by applying an insecticide.

Habitat

The American Cranberry plant is native to North America and is found in wetlands and bogs. The plant prefers acidic soil and requires consistent moisture. It is widely cultivated in the United States and Canada for its edible berries.

Question and Answer

Q: Can American Cranberries be grown in containers?
A: Yes, American Cranberries can be grown in containers as long as the container is large enough to accommodate the plant’s shallow root system and provides adequate drainage.

Q: Can American Cranberries be grown from seed?
A: Yes, American Cranberries can be grown from seed, but it is not the most efficient way to propagate the plant. It is better to propagate the plant through cuttings or division.

Q: How often should American Cranberries be fertilized?
A: American Cranberries should be fertilized once a year in the spring with an acidic fertilizer.

Q: Are American Cranberries self-pollinating?
A: No, American Cranberries are not self-pollinating. They require cross-pollination with another variety of cranberry plant to produce fruit.

Related Plants

• Vaccinium angustifolium (Lowbush Blueberry)
• Vaccinium corymbosum (Highbush Blueberry)
• Vaccinium oxycoccos (Small Cranberry)
• Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Lingonberry)

References

• Dirr, M. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and uses. Stipes Publishing.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n.d.). Vaccinium macrocarpon. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=VAMA
• University of Florida IFAS Extension. (2021). Cranberry, American. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG359