Creeping Box, Partridge Berry, Twin berry, Squaw-vine
It is a temperate plant. It does best in rich soil. It is best with neutral or acid soil. They are native to acid pine forests in North America. It fruit better in full sun but can grow in light shade. It is not very tolerant of seaside conditions. It is very cold hardy tolerating temperatures to -20°C. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.
Edible Portion
- Fruit, Leaves - tea, Seeds
Where does Creeping Box grow?
Found in: Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Guatemala, Japan, North America, United States
Notes: There are 2 Mitchella species. They grow in temperate places.
Status: The fruit are eaten especially by children.
Growing Creeping Box, Partridge Berry, Twin berry, Squaw-vine
Cultivation: Plants can be grown from rooted sections of the stem or from seed. Fresh seed need to have the pulp removed. Stored seed need 3 months of cold before planting. Plants should be spaced 30 cm apart. Layering or cuttings can be used.
Edible Uses: The ripe fruit can be eaten raw. They are also used for desserts and jams. They can be dried for future us. The leaves can be used for tea. Caution: The leaves should not be used during early pregnancy as they can cause contraction of the uterus.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portionEdible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | - | - | - | - | - |
References
Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database."http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 678
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 900
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 212
Fisk, J. R. & Hoover, E., 2015, Wild Fruits of Minnesota. A Field Guide. University of Minnesota p 26
Glowinski, L., 1999, The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia. Lothian. p 181
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 415
Jackes, D. A., Edible Forest Gardens
Lyle, S., 2006, Discovering fruit and nuts. Land Links. p 286
MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 186
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 345
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Sp. pl. 1:111. 1753
www.wildediblefood.com