Arctostaphylos uva-ursi : Kinnikinick

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Spermatophyta (seed bearing)
Angiospermae (enclosed seed)

Class: Dicoteldonae (two seed-leaves)

Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Genera: Arctostaphylos (Bearberry) (Gik. arcto=bear + staphyle=berry; referring to the fact that bears enjoy these berries)

Species: uva-ursi (Lat. uva=grape + ursi=bear)

English Name(s):

Kinnikinick, Bearberry

First Nation Names:

dan daih (Gwichya), dandaih (Teetl'it)=stoneberry

Structure:

• Prostrate or trailing often mat-forming shrub.
• Bark reddish to dark gray and exfoliating (peeling).

Leaves:

• Simple (not compound or lobed).
• Leaves alternate.
• Obovate to spatulate in shape. Margins entire (smooth).
• Evergreen, short-petioled (stalked), 1-3 cm long by 3-12 mm wide.
• Leathery.

Reproductive Parts:

• Flowers perfect (bisexual) and regular (symetrical).
• Calyx (sepals) 5-parted.
• Flowers in terminal (at the top) racemes or clusters.
• Flowers with united petals and bell-shaped.
• Ovary with 5 locules (chambers).
• Stamens (male parts) 10.
• Corolla (petals) pink to white, 4-6mm long.

Seed:

• Fruit is a drupe (berry like).
• Drupes are dull red, mealy. 5-10mm in diameter.
• Stones consisting of several Nutlets.

Not to Be Confused With:

• Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Lingonberry) looks very simmilar. It differs in leaves being shorter, more prominent midrib, and dull light green below. Also flower parts are 4-merous (in 4s or multiples of)

Physiology:

Life Cycle:

• Perennial.

Seasonal Cycle:

• Leaves evergreen.
• Plants blomng until mid-July and ripe fruit not found until late August.

Animal Uses:

• Bears find the berries irresistible.
• Grouse also feed on the berries.

Habitat:

• Also found in open aspen stands and open coniferous woodlands.
• Dry sandy places such as exposed slopes, road sides, and eskers.

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