Alpine bearberry, Black bearberry
Arctous alpina

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It can lie along the ground or be up to 40 cm high. It spreads 1 m wide. The stems are woody and branching. The leaves are green and oval. They have rounded teeth around the edge. The surface is wrinkled. The flowers are pale yellow and bell shaped. The fruit are small black berries.

They have health benefits.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in northern China in alpine thickets and among rocks at 1,900-3,000 m altitude. It grows best in sandy, rocky, well-drained soils. It needs a protected sunny position. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Arctic, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Mongolia, North America, Russia

How it is used for food

The fruit are edible but have a bitter taste.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bei ji guo

Synonyms

Arbutus alpina L.; Arctostaphylos alpina (L.) Spreng.;