Difference between revisions of "Bilberry"

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__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
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{{SPlantbox
| name = ''Vaccinium'' (see text)
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|familia=Ericaceae
| common_names = Bilberry, European blueberry, blaeberry, whortleberry, whinberry (or winberry), wimberry, myrtle blueberry, fraughan,  black-hearts
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|genus=Vaccinium
| growth_habit = shrub
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|species=myrtillus
| high =    <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
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|common_name=Bilberry, European blueberry, blaeberry, whortleberry, whinberry (or winberry), etc
| wide =     <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
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|habit=shrub
| origin = [[temperate]] & [[subarctic]] regions
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|Min ht metric=cm
| poisonous =    <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
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|origin=Europe, N Asia
| lifespan = perennial
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|lifespan=perennial
| exposure =     <!--- sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
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|exposure=part-sun
| water = damp
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|water=wet, moist
| features =     <!--- flowers, fragrance, naturalizes, invasive -->
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|features=evergreen, deciduous, edible, fruit
| hardiness =     <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5[[Celsius|°C]], etc -->
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|Temp Metric=°F
| bloom =     <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
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|min_zone=3
| usda_zones =     <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
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|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| sunset_zones =     <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
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|max_zone=9.5
| color = IndianRed
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|image=Vaccinum myrtillus 020503.jpg
| image = Vaccinum myrtillus 020503.jpg
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|image_width=240
| image_width = 240px
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|image_caption=Bilberry in flower
| image_caption = Bilberry in flower
 
| regnum = Plantae
 
| divisio = Magnoliophyta
 
| classis = Magnoliopsida
 
| ordo = Ericales
 
| familia = Ericaceae
 
| genus = Vaccinium
 
| species = myrtillus
 
| subspecies =
 
| cultivar =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
'''Bilberry''' is a name used for several species of ''[[Vaccinium]]'' (genus) that bear [[false berry|fruit]] on low-growing [[shrub]]s. The species usually referred to as Bilberry is ''Vaccinium myrtillus'', also called the European blueberry. The bilberry has many other names, including blaeberry, whortleberry, whinberry (or winberry), wimberry, myrtle blueberry, fraughan, and black-hearts.
 
'''Bilberry''' is a name used for several species of ''[[Vaccinium]]'' (genus) that bear [[false berry|fruit]] on low-growing [[shrub]]s. The species usually referred to as Bilberry is ''Vaccinium myrtillus'', also called the European blueberry. The bilberry has many other names, including blaeberry, whortleberry, whinberry (or winberry), wimberry, myrtle blueberry, fraughan, and black-hearts.
  
 
Bilberries can be found growing in damp, [[acid]]ic [[soil]]s. [[North America]]n wild and cultivated [[blueberry|blueberries]] and [[huckleberry|huckleberries]] are in the same ''Vaccinium'' genus, but the inside of their fruit is light green/white, while the inside of the bilberry is red or purple, often staining the fingers and lips.  The bilberry also produced singly or in pairs on the plants, while blueberries come in clusters.  
 
Bilberries can be found growing in damp, [[acid]]ic [[soil]]s. [[North America]]n wild and cultivated [[blueberry|blueberries]] and [[huckleberry|huckleberries]] are in the same ''Vaccinium'' genus, but the inside of their fruit is light green/white, while the inside of the bilberry is red or purple, often staining the fingers and lips.  The bilberry also produced singly or in pairs on the plants, while blueberries come in clusters.  
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{{Inc|
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Vaccinium myrtillus, Linn. Whortleberry. Bilberry. Low glabrous shrub with sharply angled branches: lvs. 1/2 – 2/3 in. long, ovate or oval, serrate, conspicuously reticulate-veined, glabrous, thin and shining: corolla globular ovate; calyx-limb almost entire: berries black, nodding. Mountainous regions, Eu., Asia, possibly N. Amer.—"Generally used as an article of diet and in making of drinks, particularly in the Old World. It is from this species that the common name whortleberry is derived. It is not of much economic importance in Amer." The red-fruited form of the Rocky Mts., and the N. W. has been separated as V. scoparium, Leiberg, and is so recognized by Piper and by Coulter & Nelson. Its occurrence in the trade is doubtful.
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}}
  
 
==Other Bilberry species==
 
==Other Bilberry species==
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==Cultivation==
 
==Cultivation==
{{monthbox
 
| color = IndianRed
 
| name = <!--- type name of plant just to the right of the equal sign on the left -->
 
| jan =
 
| feb =
 
| mar =
 
| apr =
 
| may =
 
| jun =
 
| jul =
 
| aug =
 
| sep =
 
| oct =
 
| nov =
 
| dec =
 
| notes =
 
}}
 
{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
 
 
Bilberries are rarely cultivated but fruits are sometimes collected from wild plants growing on publicly accessible lands, notably in [[Fennoscandia]], [[Scotland]], [[Ireland]] and [[Poland]].
 
Bilberries are rarely cultivated but fruits are sometimes collected from wild plants growing on publicly accessible lands, notably in [[Fennoscandia]], [[Scotland]], [[Ireland]] and [[Poland]].
  
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{{stub}}
 
{{stub}}
[[Category:Categorize]]
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Latest revision as of 01:17, 19 March 2010


Bilberry in flower


Plant Characteristics
Habit   shrub

Lifespan: perennial
Origin: Europe, N Asia
Cultivation
Exposure: part-sun
Water: wet, moist
Features: evergreen, deciduous, edible, fruit
USDA Zones: 3 to 9.5
Scientific Names

Ericaceae >

Vaccinium >

myrtillus >


Bilberry is a name used for several species of Vaccinium (genus) that bear fruit on low-growing shrubs. The species usually referred to as Bilberry is Vaccinium myrtillus, also called the European blueberry. The bilberry has many other names, including blaeberry, whortleberry, whinberry (or winberry), wimberry, myrtle blueberry, fraughan, and black-hearts.

Bilberries can be found growing in damp, acidic soils. North American wild and cultivated blueberries and huckleberries are in the same Vaccinium genus, but the inside of their fruit is light green/white, while the inside of the bilberry is red or purple, often staining the fingers and lips. The bilberry also produced singly or in pairs on the plants, while blueberries come in clusters.


Read about Bilberry in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Vaccinium myrtillus, Linn. Whortleberry. Bilberry. Low glabrous shrub with sharply angled branches: lvs. 1/2 – 2/3 in. long, ovate or oval, serrate, conspicuously reticulate-veined, glabrous, thin and shining: corolla globular ovate; calyx-limb almost entire: berries black, nodding. Mountainous regions, Eu., Asia, possibly N. Amer.—"Generally used as an article of diet and in making of drinks, particularly in the Old World. It is from this species that the common name whortleberry is derived. It is not of much economic importance in Amer." The red-fruited form of the Rocky Mts., and the N. W. has been separated as V. scoparium, Leiberg, and is so recognized by Piper and by Coulter & Nelson. Its occurrence in the trade is doubtful.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Other Bilberry species

The name bilberry is the common name sometimes applied to other Vaccinium species, including:

More information about this species can be found on the genus page.

Cultivation

Bilberries are rarely cultivated but fruits are sometimes collected from wild plants growing on publicly accessible lands, notably in Fennoscandia, Scotland, Ireland and Poland.

Propagation

Do you have propagation info on this plant? Edit this section!

Pests and diseases

Do you have pest and disease info on this plant? Edit this section!

Bilberry is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species - see list of Lepidoptera which feed on Vaccinium.

Varieties

Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

References


External links