Vaccinium praestans

Lambert

Kamchatka bilberry, Cherry blueberry

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit 104 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

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Summary

Vaccinium praestans, the Kamchatka bilberry, is a perennial shrub in the family Ericaceae, which includes species like cranberries, blueberries, and huckleberries. In Russia this plant is known as the Klopovka, or stink-bug berry, due to its distinct, potent scent, resembling that of a secretion produced by bugs of Heteroptera genus. The plant is native to Kamchatka but can be found in North America to Eastern Asia. Mostly growing in the wild, it is also enjoyed as an ornamental plant, most commonly in Japan, where it is used to decorate home gardens. Like many other species in the family Ericaceae, its berries are edible.

Description

A small plant. It is a creeping plant with upright shoots. These grow 3-10 cm high. It spreads by underground stems or rhizomes. These can be 30 cm long. The leaves are oval and have small teeth. The leaves are 2.5-5 cm long and rounded at the top but with a short pointed tip. They are pale green and turn yellow then red in autumn. The flowers are bell shaped and white tinged with pink. They can be in groups 5 cm long. The fruit are bright red berries. They are 1.25 cm across. They are juicy, sweet and edible. They are near the tips of the shoots.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a sweet, fragrant flavour reminiscent of strawberry and is considered delicious. Each fruit is about 12mm in diameter.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a cold temperate plant. It suits a cool, moist spot. It can grow in sphagnum moss. It grows in cold climates and is hardy.

Where It Grows

Asia, Britain, Europe, Japan, North America, Russia, USA,

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. Requires shelter from strong winds. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. In this country, plants grow better in northern England and Scotland, in southern England they need a position with plenty of light but little direct sun. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Sow seed in late winter in a greenhouse using a lime-free potting mix, barely covering it. Stored seed may need up to 3 months of cold stratification. Alternatively, sow fresh seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. When seedlings reach about 3cm tall, prick them out into individual pots and grow on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5–8cm with a heel, can be taken in August in a frame, though this method is slow and difficult. Layering can be done in late summer or early autumn — though one report favours spring — and takes 18 months. Suckers can be divided in spring or early autumn. Larger divisions can be planted directly into permanent positions, though smaller divisions are best potted up and grown on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until established, then planted out in summer or the following spring.

Other Uses

Makes a good ground cover for cool, moist, shady areas.

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

Kamchatka bilberry

Vaccinium praestans

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

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

Also Known As

Iwa-tsutsuji

References (8)

Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 1040
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 99
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 667
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Trans. Linn. Soc. London 10:264, t. 9. 1811

Show all 8 references

Trehane, J., 2004, Blueberries, Cranberries and Other Vacciniums. Timber Press. p 240
Ulian, T., et al, 2020, Unlocking plant resources to support food security and promote sustainable agriculture. Plants, People, Planet. 2020;2:421–445.
Williams, D., 2017, Ainu Ethnobiology. Contributions in Ethnobiology. Society of Ethnobiology. p 148