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Black Crowberry, Empetrum nigrum L.
Empetraceae

Leaves: Alternate, 3-7 mm long, crowed on the stem, linear to narrowly elliptic, somewhat sharp-pointed, and smooth except for the edges which usually have short, glandular-tipped hairs. The leaf margins are strongly revolute, nearly meeting beneath to form a white groove. The lower leaves are usually dry and brown.

Flowers: Small and inconspicuous, about 2 mm across, and in the axils of the upper leaves. There are usually male and female flowers on separate plants but the flowers may be perfect. There are 3 sepals and 3 purplish petals. The 3 stamens are long and have dark purple anthers. Blooms from about the third week of April to late May.

Fruit: Juicy, dull black, subglobose to globose drupes, 5-10 mm in diameter and have 6-11 nutlets. Ripen by late July and often remain on the bush throughout winter.

Habitat: Common around coastal areas, on barren and rocky soils, as well as in bogs and wooded areas throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

General: A mat-forming evergreen shrub. Young branchlets are essentially hairless and shiny but may have minute glandular hairs. Older branches are reddish-brown and flakey.

Source: Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador
By A. Glen Ryan

Used with permission from
Parks and Natural Areas Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1995