Indian cranberry
Vaccinium leschenaultii

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 7 m tall. The bark is brown and has irregular scales. The young branches are angular and hairy. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaf blade is 5-7 cm long by 3 cm wide. The flowers are in the axils of leaves or near the ends of branches. They are pink. The fruit is a smooth round berry with many seeds. It is red.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forests between 1,600-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The fruit are sweet and edible. They are also used for jams, tarts and cakes.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anduvan, Kalavu, Katavu, Kelaaram, Kilapalam, Neilgherries

Synonyms

Agapetes arborea Dunal; Vaccinium symplocifolium (G. Don) Alston; and others