Crowberry

Crowberry
Empetrum nigrum
(Empetraceac)

Description:
This low, creeping or spreading evergreen, heatherlike shrub forms dense mats with horizontal, much-branched stems. Crowberry leaves are usually needlelike, crowded, four in a whorl; sometimes they are alternate, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (3 to 6 mm.) long, shiny, yellow-green with a groove on the lower surface formed by curved margins. The upward-curving twigs are 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm.) long, brown, very slender, and finely hairy becoming shreddy.

The purplish flowers--single, inconspicuous, and stalkless--sprout at the base of the leaves. Each small, 1/4 to 1/2 inch (3 to 6 mm.) flower is composed of three bracts, three sepals, three spreading petals, and three stamens much longer than the petals. Each pistil bears a six to nine-celled ovary and flat stigma with six to nine narrow lobes.

The fruits, round and berrylike, measure about 3/8 to 1/2 inch (5 to 10 mm.) or more in diameter. Shiny, dark blue-black or purple, very juicy and sweet, they contain six to nine reddish-brown nutlets.

Distribution:
Empetrum nigrum is found throughout Alaska in forests and muskegs and on the tundra.

Medicinal uses:
The leaves and stems are Tanaina (Anchorage-area Native) medicine for diarrhea. Boil or soak crowberry leaves and stems in hot water and drink the tea. Some Inland Tanainas say the berry juice is good for kidney trouble. The root is medicine too and is used for sore eyes and to get rid of cataracts. Boil the roots and wash the eyes with the cooled juice. Bark from the stem is good for the eyes, too. (Kari)

Other uses:
Crowberry is used as a ground cover in Interior Alaska. Plants can be grown from cuttings.

Back to index

Copyright © 1987 by Eleanor G. Viereck