Bilberry, Whortleberry
Vaccinium myrtillus

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

The Bilberry or Whortleberry is a species of shrub with edible fruit. It has one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins giving the bilberry its blue/black colour and with a high antioxidant content believed to be responsible for the many health benefits of bilberry and other berry fruits. In traditional European medicine, bilberry has been used for over a 1000 years.

Vaccinium myrtillus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Heaths, moors and woods on acid soils to 1250 metres.

Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, Macedonia, the Caucasus and N. Asia

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Arctic, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, China, Czech Republic, Dagestan, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Siberia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and very tasty, they make an excellent preserve, their small seeds making them suitable for jam. A slightly acid flavour when eaten raw. The fruit can be dried and used like currants. The fruit is up to 10mm in diameter. A tea is made from the leaves.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The dried leaves of bilberries are used in the treatment of a variety of complaints. These leaves should be harvested in early autumn, only green leaves being selected, and then dried in gentle heat. The leaves should not be used medicinally for more than 3 weeks at a time. A tea made from the dried leaves is strongly astringent, diuretic, tonic and an antiseptic for the urinary tract. It is also a remedy for diabetes if taken for a prolonged period. Another report says that the leaves can be helpful in pre-diabetic states but that they are not an alternative to conventional treatment. The leaves contain glucoquinones, which reduce the levels of sugar in the blood. A decoction of the leaves or bark is applied locally in the treatment of ulcers and in ulceration of the mouth and throat. A distilled water made from the leaves is an excellent eyewash for soothing inflamed or sore eyes. Whilst the fresh fruit has a slightly laxative effect upon the body, when dried it is astringent and is commonly used in the treatment of diarrhoea etc. The dried fruit is also antibacterial and a decoction is useful for treating diarrhoea in children. The skin of the fruits contains anthocyanin and is specific in the treatment of hemeralopia (day-blindness). The fruit is a rich source of anthocyanosides, which have been shown experimentally to dilate the blood vessels, this makes it a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, haemorrhoids and capillary fragility.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Antiemetic: Prevents vomiting.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Hypoglycaemic: Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.

Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other

Rating: 1

A green dye is obtained from the leaves and the fruit and is used to colour fabrics. A blue or black dye is obtained from the fruit. This can be used as an ink.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Ink: Plants that can be used as an ink.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions.Tolerates some shade, succeeding in light woodland. Very tolerant of wind and exposure. Plants do not always do well in sheltered positions and they fruit better in an exposed position. They can also form the ground layer in acid woods. A freely suckering shrub when growing well. Plants quickly regenerate from below ground level if they are burnt and also tolerate some grazing. One report says the plant is self-sterile, another that it is self-fertile. The fruits are relished by wildlife and the plants provide food for a number of insect species. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots spreading near the soil surface .

Propagating it: Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame. Slow and difficult. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn. Layering in late summer or early autumn. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer. Takes 18 months. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

High tannin content may cause digestive disorders - avoid prolonged use or high doses. Avoid in pregnancy. Avoid if on anticoagulant therapy (e.g. warfarin) .

Its other names

Local names

Abie, Arandano commun, Bagole, Biruberi, Blaeberry, Blaubeere, Blueberry, Borovnica, Charnitsa, Cherna borovinka, Chyernika, Cucoriedky, Dwarf bilberry, Eubie, Eumie, Hei guo hue jie, Heidelbeer, Jafury, Mirtillo, Mustikas, Myrtille, Whinberry, Windberry,

Synonyms

Vaccinium myrtillus oreophilum, Vaccinium oreophilum