Red Empetrum (Empetrum rubrum)

Family: Empetraceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Empetrum rubrum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. It is supposed to have tonic properties. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; It is supposed to have tonic properties.

Habitat & North American Range

Dwarf shrub heath, feldmark communities, bogs and swamps, in open Nothofagus forest and occasionally frequent in the understorey. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)