Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry, "Kokemomo")

Japanese name: コケモモ （苔桃）
Scientific name: Vaccinium vitis-idaea

[Overview]
An evergreen dwarf shrub found in dwarf stone pine forests and dry grassland from the subalpine to the alpine zone, often forming colonies with Gankoran (Empetrum) and Mine-zuo (Loiseleuria).
The lower part of the stem creeps along the ground, and the upper part rises to a height of 5–15 cm.
Leaves are simple and alternate, oblong, 0.8–2.5 cm long and 0.5–1.2 cm wide, leathery, with rounded tips; the upper surface is glossy and the underside has sparse pale black dots.
The leaf margins roll slightly toward the underside and have a few fine serrations.
A raceme at the branch tip bears 3–8 flowers hanging downward.
The corolla is white to pale pink and bell-shaped, about 0.6 cm long, with 4 shallow lobes at the tip that curl back.
There are 8 stamens.
The fruit is spherical, 0.5–0.7 cm across, ripening red; it is sweet-sour and edible.

[Uses]
The fruit is eaten.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division.
It suits cool regions and prefers a sunny, well-ventilated place without afternoon sun, and well-drained, fertile, acidic soil.
In summer, keep it cool in a well-ventilated place in partial shade.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, take care that it does not become hot and humid, and in summer water in the evening or later when the temperature drops.
It needs only a little fertilizer; apart from base fertilizer, watch its growth and apply slow-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer in spring or autumn, so that no fertilizer remains in midsummer.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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