Mountain Cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)

Life history

Species overview

Mountain Cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found on mossy cliffs along Lake Superior and in conifer swamps inland. Blooming occurs early May through late June; fruiting occurs late July through early September. This species can be identified year-round.

Synonyms: Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. punctatum

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Few flowers in small terminal clusters,4-lobed nearly to the middle.
• Flower characteristics: Few, in small terminal clusters, each on a short, glandular pedicel axillary to a bud scale; corolla bell-shaped, 5 to 7 mm; petals 4-lobed nearly to the middle.
• Fruit characteristics: Red, edible, nearly 1 cm.
• Leaf characteristics: Leathery, evergreen, subsessile, elliptic to oblong, 8 to 18 mm, rounded at both ends, sparsely dotted with erect black glands beneath.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: early May through late June
• Fruiting phenology: late July through early September
• Optimum time to identify: This species can be identified year-round

Other

• Growth form: Shrub
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Picea mariana, Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera, Sorbus decora, Thuja occidentalis, Ledum groenlandicum, Linnaea borealis, Alnus viridis, Cornus stolonifera, Vaccinium angustifolium, V. oxycoccos, Gaultheria hispidula.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Mountain Cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found on mossy cliffs along Lake Superior and in conifer swamps inland.
• Soils: Acidic, loamy soils

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Mountain Cranberry. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Mountain Cranberry. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid site preparation that heavily disturbs herbaceous ground layer and soil; these include bulldozing and furrowing, as well as grubbing and stump removal.
• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial (dependent on local site conditions).
• Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.
• Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Other resources

Links to additional Mountain Cranberry information

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Flora
• NatureServe Explorer
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use