Farkleberry
Vaccinium arboreum

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

Vaccinium arboreum is an evergreen Tree growing to 5 m (16ft 5in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Moist sandy soils by ponds and streams. Usually found in most shady slightly alkaline soils along stream banks, bluffs, hammocks and in open woods.

South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. Dry and slightly astringent but with a pleasant flavour. Dry and insipid according to another report whilst another says that it is dry, sweet and mealy and yet another says that it is bitter and inedible. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The berries, root-bark and leaves are very astringent and have been used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery etc. The infusion is valuable in treating sore throats, chronic ophthalmia, leucorrhoea etc.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Other

Rating:

Said to be an excellent rootstock for 'Rabbiteye' blueberries (V. ashei). Tannin is obtained from the bark and root. Wood - heavy, hard, very close grained. It weighs 48lb per cubic foot. Used for making tool handles and other small articles.

Rootstock: Plants used as the rootstock for grafting scions onto.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. Requires shelter from strong winds. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. Plants are deciduous when growing in cold climates. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer. Takes 18 months. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Batodendron andrachniforme. Batodendron arboreum