Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

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Read about Vaccinium vitis-idaea in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Linn. (Vitis-Idaea Vitis-Idaea, Brit.). Mountain Cranberry. Cowberry. Partridge Berry in the N. Foxberry. Fig. 3895. Plants low, 6-10 in. long, creeping, glabrous: lvs. coriaceous, evergreen, obovate or oval, 1/4 – 3/4 in. long obtuse, dark green and shining above, with blackish bristly points beneath: fls. in short subterminal racemes; corolla bell-shaped, white or rose-colored, 4-cleft: berries dark red, acid. Arctic region, to the coast and mountains of New England, Minn., and Brit. Col. L.B.C. 7:616 (as var. major); 11:1023 (as var. minor).—"The frs., which are rather larger than currants, acid and somewhat bitter when uncooked, are largely used in the more northern regions for tarts, jellies, and preserves, or as a substitute for the common cranberry. According to Macoun, the fishermen's families along the Gaspe coast and the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence gather the fr. of this species in large quantities for their own use and for sale, calling it 'low-bush cranberry.' Throughout the whole of N. Canada, hunters and trappers, as well as the native Indians, have frequently to depend upon it for food. It is valuable for the shrubbery border, where the strong contrast of the dark green foliage and the bright colored persistent fr. is very striking." 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 It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article.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.

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

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