Southern mountain cranberry, Bearberry, Dingleberry
Vaccinium erythrocarpum
Family: Ericaceae
What it is like
An open shrub. It grows 90-180 cm high. The leaves are narrowly oval and 4-6 cm long by 2 cm wide. They are green and slightly downy underneath. There are small teeth. The flowers are 1.3 cm long and narrow. There are 4 white or pink petals. These curve back at the tip. The fruit are 8-12 mm across. The fruit are scarlet berries which let the light through. They can be purple or black. They have little taste.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on high mountains in the United States. It can grow in boggy areas or on rocky slopes.
Countries/locations it is found in
North America, USA
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten fresh. They are also eaten in jellies.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
It can be grown by seed or from cuttings.