tl’ikw’enay
sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Latin name
Type: Evergreen groundcover
Exposure: Sun – Part shade
Moisture: Dry
Max height: 1 ft.
Growing ease: High
Container tolerance: Medium
Attracts: Butterflies, hummingbirds
Blooms & fruits
White to pink flowers bloom from April through July, and its bright red berries mature from late summer to late fall.
Features
A hardy, evergreen ground cover with small, rounded, slightly waxy clusters of leaves; the leaves turn from yellow-green in spring, to dark green in summer, to reddish-purple in the fall. The branches are flexible and have a trailing habit.
Use by people & cultural significance
The leaves are made into tea used in treating colds and tuberculosis, but can also be used as a mouthwash to treat canker sores or weak gums. The leaves can also be used as a diuretic for kidney disease or infection.
Wildlife value
The berries attract birds and other wildlife, such as bears, and the leaves are eaten by moose, grouse, and sheep.
Care instructions
The Kinnikinnick is tolerant of drought and environmental salt, it should be restricted to acidic, sandy, light soil—it does not tolerate compaction and will die in standing water.
