Grouseberry
Vaccinium scoparium
Family: Ericaceae
What it is like
A small shrub. It grows 10-20 cm high. The branches are angular and they remain green for several years. It has rhizomes that form shoots along their length. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are about 1 cm long. They are bright green on both sides. There are fine teeth around the edge. The flowers occur singly in the axils of the leaves. They are small and urn shaped. They are pale pink. The fruit are bright coral red berries. They are 5 mm across. They are tart but edible.
Where it is found
It is a cold temperate plant. It grows near the timberline on moist alpine slopes in the Rocky Mountains. It is very cold hardy.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America (country/location of origin), USA
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw with sugar and cream. They can be cooked into a sauce or made into jams, jellies, muffins, bread or pancakes. Fruit can be dried for later use. Fruit are used to flavour other foods and to thicken soups. Fresh or dried leaves can be used for tea.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves - tea
How it is grown
The fruit are small and are brushed off the plants into a mat then separated from trash by winnowing in the wind.
Its other names
Local names
Dwarf red whortleberry, Pink-fruited grouse-berry, Small-leaved huckleberry, Red alpine blueberry