Vaccinium smallii

A. Gray

Sakhlain bilberry

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit 89 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

A deciduous shrub reaching 1.5m tall, hardy to UK zone 6. Flowers bloom in June. Prefers light sandy to medium loamy, well-drained soils with mildly acid to very acid pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and tolerates moist soil.

Description

A shrub. It grows 1.5 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are 3-8 cm long. Flowers are in clusters of 1 to 3. The fruit are purple to black.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and is about 6mm in diameter.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows between 900-2,200 m above sea level. It suits USDA hardiness zone 6.

Where It Grows

Asia, Japan, Korea, Russia,

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. 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 5cm 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.

Other Uses

None known.

Other Information

Fruit are sold in local markets.

Notes

It has anticancer properties.

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

Sakhlain bilberry

Vaccinium smallii

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

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

References (3)

Kintzios, S. E., 2006, Terrestrial Plant-Derived Anticancer Agents and Plant Species Used in Anticancer research. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 25: pp 79-113
Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts ser. 2, 6:398. 1859
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/