Flower Encyclopedia: Cassiope
Cassiope is a plant native to the high Arctic and northern Norway, and is found widely. The common names of Cassiope include Arctic bell-heather, white arctic mountain heather andArctic white heather. It is usually found in dry stony or sandy heaths or tundra-usually in mountainous areas.
One of the most common species is the Cassiope tetragona. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 0.3m by 0.15m. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May.
The plant forms coarse, freely branching, mats covered with leathery leaves arranged in four rows. It has fibrous roots formed along the prostrate stems. Aerial stems erect, or prostrate and stem surface is not visible between the leaves. The leaves are distributed along the stems; alternate; distinctly on 4 sides of a quadrangular branch, appearing as a braided rope; and are evergreen. The stipules and petioles are absent.
Cassiope do better in cool climates where summers aren't too warm. They can withstand temperatures as low as -30º F. It requires dry, moist, lime-free, well-drained soil.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Cassiope can grow in semi-shade (light woodland).
It requires good protection from bright sunlight.
Cassiope, combined with mosses and lichens, has been used as an insulation material in houses. To propagate the plant peg down the shoots in soil at any time so that they will form roots. Cuttings may be made of firm shoots, in August, and placed in pots of sandy peat and covered with a bell jar. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
Cassiope is suitable for growing in shady or semi-shady places of the rock garden or shrub border. The plant makes good tinder. In Greenland, the plant is important as fuel.
Did you know?
· Cassiope has 9-12 small shrubby species.
· The genus is named after Cassiopeia of Greek mythology.
