Alpine blueberry, Cascade bilberry, Blue huckleberry, Rainier bilberry
Vaccinium deliciosum
Family: Ericaceae
What it is like
A small shrub. It forms tufted mats. They are usually 10-30 cm high. It spreads by rhizomes. The young twigs are grey-green and rounded. The leaves are 15-30 mm long and 5-8 mm wide. There are broad teeth on the upper parts of the leaves. The leaves turn bright red in autumn. The flowers occur singly. They are round and creamy pink. They are 5-8 mm wide. The fruit are blue-black berries. These are 5-8 mm across and are edible.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in alpine meadows and subalpine pine forests. It is hardy to frosts.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America (country/location of origin), USA
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. They are stewed and made into a sauce. The fruit are canned and used as winter food. They can be dried and stored.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
It can be grown from seed or cuttings. Plants are easy to transplant.