Vaccinium myrtillus

Vaccinium myrtillus is a holarctic species of shrub with edible fruit of blue color, known by the common names bilberry, blaeberry, wimberry, and whortleberry. It is more precisely called common bilberry or blue whortleberry to distinguish it from other Vaccinium relatives.

Description

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.

Edible Uses

The fruit, up to 10mm in diameter, can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a slightly acid flavour when fresh but is sweet and very tasty, making an excellent preserve; the small seeds make it well suited to jam. The fruit can also be dried and used like currants. A tea can be made from the leaves.

Traditional Uses

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.

Medicinal Uses

Dried bilberry leaves are used to treat a range of complaints. They should be harvested in early autumn — selecting only green leaves — then dried in gentle heat, and should not be used medicinally for more than 3 weeks at a time. A tea made from the dried leaves is strongly astringent, diuretic, tonic, and antiseptic for the urinary tract; taken over a prolonged period it is also used as a remedy for diabetes, though one source notes the leaves may help in pre-diabetic states but are not an alternative to conventional treatment. The leaves contain glucoquinones, which lower blood sugar levels. A decoction of the leaves or bark can be applied locally to ulcers and to ulceration of the mouth and throat. A distilled water made from the leaves makes an excellent eyewash for inflamed or sore eyes. Fresh fruit has a mildly laxative effect, while dried fruit is astringent and commonly used to treat diarrhoea; dried fruit is also antibacterial and a decoction is useful for treating diarrhoea in children. The skin of the fruit contains anthocyanin and is used specifically in the treatment of hemeralopia (day-blindness). The fruit is a rich source of anthocyanosides, which have been shown experimentally to dilate blood vessels, making it a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, haemorrhoids, and capillary fragility.

Known Hazards

High tannin content may cause digestive disorders - avoid prolonged use or high doses. Avoid in pregnancy. Avoid if on anticoagulant therapy (e.g. warfarin).

Distribution

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.

Where It Grows

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,

Cultivation

Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions.Tolerates some shade, succeeding in light woodland. Very tolerant of wind and exposure. Plants do not always do well in sheltered positions and they fruit better in an exposed position. They can also form the ground layer in acid woods. A freely suckering shrub when growing well. Plants quickly regenerate from below ground level if they are burnt and also tolerate some grazing. One report says the plant is self-sterile, another that it is self-fertile. The fruits are relished by wildlife and the plants provide food for a number of insect species. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water.

Propagation

Sow seed in late winter in a greenhouse using a lime-free potting mix, barely covering the seed. Stored seed may need up to 3 months of cold stratification. Alternatively, sow fresh seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once they reach about 5cm tall and grow on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Half-ripe cuttings, 5–8cm with a heel, can be taken in August and rooted in a frame, though this is slow and difficult. Cuttings of mature wood can be taken in late autumn. Layering can be done in late summer or early autumn, or in spring according to some sources, and takes 18 months. Suckers can be divided in spring or early autumn.

Other Uses

A green dye obtained from the leaves and fruit can be used to colour fabrics. A blue or black dye obtained from the fruit can also be used as an ink.

Production

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

Other Information

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

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

DEADLY

Deadly Nightshade

Atropa belladonna

Joan Simon from Barcelona, España

Safe

Whortleberry

Vaccinium myrtillus

(c) Дмитрий Власов, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Дмитрий Власов

Deadly Nightshade: Tall herbaceous plant (1-2m), single shiny black cherry-sized berries, star-shaped calyx, large oval leaves, sweet but dangerous taste.

Whortleberry: Low woody shrub, berries in clusters with crown/remnant calyx ring, sweet taste.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

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

References (87)

• Abbet, C., et al, 2014, Ethnobotanical survey on wild alpine food plants in Lower and Central Valais (Switzerland). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 151 (2014) 624–634
• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 164
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 1003
• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 134
• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 1040

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