Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Bearberry

 Plant Type:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flowers:
Multi-Colored (Urn-shaped, white to pink flowers in spring)
 Foliage:
Green (Dark green semi-evergreen foliage; may turn brown or reddish in fall/winter)
 Fruit:
Red (Fruits (0.25-0.33" dia.) are bright red and develop in late summer)
 Ultimate Height:
6-12 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
2-4+ feet
 Soil:
Often found growing in dry sand or stony soils with a low pH (4.5-5)
 Range:
Northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Alternate, obovate, simple leaves (0.5-1.25" long and 0.25-0.5" wide), evergreen, with dark green color, and glabrous, shiny surfaces.

Additional Information

Hard to establish, can develop winter burn from sun and wind when cold. Does not like excessive summer heat. Can develop foliar diseases (leaf spot) when stressed. Leaves are used to make a tea in some parts of Russia, where it is known as Kutai and Caucasian Tea. The dried leaves have been used to treat diseases of the bladder and kidney, and inflammatory diseases.

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