Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Coastal BC Plants: Kinnikinnick

Kinnikinnick

A common native plant seen covering rocky cliffs, gravel forest roads, and rugged open slash areas is the low growing shrub Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), also known as Common Bearberry. It has small dark green leathery egg-shaped leaves. Plants cluster together forming large mats. In late spring, they have pinkish bell-shaped flowers on short stalks. From summer to fall, bright red berries appear. 


Leaves from the Kinnikinnick plant were used by First Nations peoples for its diuretic properties and for urinary tract infections. In the cultivated garden, it serves as a drought resistant ground cover plant. The berries are edible (according to some sources), but not commonly used except by forest creatures. -- Margy

References: Plants of Coastal British Columbia by Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon (Lone Pine Publishing, 1994) and E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia.

10 comments:

  1. intriging information... its realy wonderful how nature provides us with different things that are good for healthissues.

    Have a nice ABC-Wednesday-day / - Week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)

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  2. It is strange how we have lost touch with the medicinal properties of our native plants.
    Regarding your comment on my blog:I like to buy plants from the nursery specially flowering annuals like Petunias and some others. I know you have limited space and I have acres of space.
    MB

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    1. I enjoyed the shot towards the barn. It gave me a better perspective of your property. - Margy

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  3. I guess that's most early medications came from. - Margy

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  4. I've never heard of that one! Great choice for K.

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  5. Never heard about this plant ! Blogging makes intelligent !

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    1. I learn something new just about every time I go online. Isn't it great! - Margy

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  6. Thanks everyone for stopping by for ABC Wednesday this week. - Margy

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  7. I'm amazed how rugged some plants be to grow in less than ideal settings

    ROG, ABCW

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We welcome your comments and questions. - Wayne and Margy