Gaultheria mucronata (prickly heath)

Japanese name: ペルネッティア
Scientific name: Gaultheria mucronata

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub 1.2–1.5 m in both height and width.
In its native range it is found in damp shrub communities near swamps and wetlands in broadleaf forest zones.
It produces suckers.
It branches well.
The leaves are simple and alternate, ovate to lanceolate and 2 cm long, thick and glossy, with the tip pointed like an awn.
The leaf margins are serrate.
It is dioecious.
Flowers are borne singly in the upper leaf axils.
The flowers hang downward, are urn-shaped, and are white or pink.
The fruit is a capsule, but the calyx swells to enclose it, forming a spherical berry-like fruit 1.5 cm across.
The fruit color is red, purple, pink, white, and so on.
The ripe fruit is sweet and edible.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
If rooted suckers have formed, division is also possible.
It prefers partial shade with good ventilation, and well-drained, moderately moist, acidic to neutral soil.
Avoid direct sunlight in summer and dry cold winds in winter.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and do not let it become extremely dry even in winter.
It is best fertilized sparingly; if base fertilizer is applied, nothing more is particularly necessary, but a small amount of slow-release fertilizer may be given in spring and autumn.
Do not let fertilizer remain in midsummer.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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