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Large Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon

a.k.a. Cranberry

Edible cranberries, pollinator super food.

USDA symbol: VAMA

General Information

Plant TypeShrub
Height6 to 12 inches
Light ExposureSun
Soil MoistureMedium, Wet
Bloom ColorWhite, Purple, Red
Large Cranberry (Large Cranberry<div><em class="small">Vaccinium macrocarpon</em></div>)
Photo credit: Peter M Dziuk, Minnesota Wildflowers (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience3
Salt ToleranceNone
Stress ToleranceAcidic Conditions

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsJune to August
Larval Host ofBees, Butterflies
Specific Pollinators HostedLycaena epixanthe, Numerous bee species, Numerous butterfly species
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar

Project Planning

Project TypeBoulevard, Erosion Control, Rain Garden
Coefficient of Conservatism10
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Lake, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pine, Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, Washington, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands