Whortleberry, Bilberry, European blueberry
Vaccinium myrtillus

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A small shrubby bush. It loses its leaves during the year. It is round and grows to 45 cm high and spreads 90 cm wide. The leaves are 25 mm long and have fine teeth along the edge. There are hairs on the veins underneath. The flowers are in small clusters. They are green when they open but turn red. The fruit are blue-black berries. They are blue inside. They are 6 mm across. They are edible.

Where it is found

It grows in north temperate regions. It can grow on poor stony soils. It can tolerate strong winds and frost. In Kazakhstan it grows in conifer forest with a good humus layer. In China it grows in high mountains in northern China. It grows in acidic and wet soils. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Andorra, Arctic, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Czech Republic, Dagestan, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten in jams, pies, and wine. The fruit are also eaten raw with sugar and cream. The leaves are dried and used for herbal tea. The young leaves are also chewed. They are added to soups. The fruit are used in a side dish with game and meat.

The fruit are sold in markets. They are eaten in large quantities.

Edible parts

Fruit, shoots, leaves, leaves - tea, flowers

How it is grown

Plants grow easily from seed. They can also be grown vegetatively.

Bushes produce fruit after 3 years. Bushes keep growing for 25 years.

Its other names

Local names

Abie, Arandano commun, Ayıüzümü, Bagole, Biruberi, Blabaer, Blaeberry, Blaubeere, Blueberry, Borovinka, Borovnica, Bosbes, Carnika, Charnitsa, Cherna borovinka, Chernika, Chyernika, Cucoriedky, Czarnem Dwarf bilberry, Eubie, Eumie, Hapalaseni, Hei guo hue jie, Heidelbeer, Jafury, Mellenes, Mirtillo, Murtilo, Mussikka, Mustikas, Must'oi, Myrtille, Navadna borovnica, Nirioun, Outrille, Raspano, Whinberry, Windberry

Synonyms

Vaccinium oreophilum Rydb.;