Ericaceae FAMILY

Vaccinium myrtillus

Edibility

4/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Vaccinium myrtillus is a much-branched, deciduous shrub growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; it forms open colonies usually 5 - 30cm tall, exceptionally up to 120cm[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. , 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. Bilberries are a popular wild fruit in Europe, where they are often gathered from the wild for local use. The plant is also a popular herbal remedy that is often made into proprietary medicines.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeEurasia - Norway to Portugal, east through northern Asia to Siberia, Mongolia, China and Japan; Western N. America - British Colombia to New Mexico

HabitatHeaths, moors and woods on acid soils to 1,250 metres[ 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. , 186 Title Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Publication Author Beckett. G. and K. Publisher Jarrold Year 1979 ISBN - Description An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants. ]. Heaths, montane heaths, boggy barrens, degraded meadows, open coniferous forests, oak parklands, disturbed or open birch woods, hummocky seepage slopes, moraines; to 2,600 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].