Practical
Plants

Vaccinium myrtillus

Bilberry

a deciduous fruit shrub of the Vaccinium genus in the family Ericaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.2 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[11]. Sweet and very tasty[13][17][19][21][23][24][6], they make an excellent preserve, their small seeds making them suitable for jam[18]. A slightly acid flavour when eaten raw[18]. The fruit can be dried and used like currants[5]. The fruit is up to 10mm in diameter[14]. A tea is made from the leaves[18][9][11].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried leaves of bilberries are used in the treatment of a variety of complaints[18]. These leaves should be harvested in early autumn, only green leaves being selected, and then dried in gentle heat[18]. The leaves should not be used medicinally for more than 3 weeks at a time[16]. A tea made from the dried leaves is strongly astringent, diuretic, tonic and an antiseptic for the urinary tract[18]. It is also a remedy for diabetes if taken for a prolonged period[18]. Another report says that the leaves can be helpful in pre-diabetic states but that they are not an alternative to conventional treatment[16]. The leaves contain glucoquinones, which reduce the levels of sugar in the blood[15]. A decoction of the leaves or bark is applied locally in the treatment of ulcers and in ulceration of the mouth and throat[18]. A distilled water made from the leaves is an excellent eyewash for soothing inflamed or sore eyes[21]. Whilst the fresh fruit has a slightly laxative effect upon the body, when dried it is astringent and is commonly used in the treatment of diarrhoea etc[18][21][16]. The dried fruit is also antibacterial and a decoction is useful for treating diarrhoea in children[16]. The skin of the fruits contains anthocyanin and is specific in the treatment of hemeralopia (day-blindness)[21]. The fruit is a rich source of anthocyanosides, which have been shown experimentally to dilate the blood vessels[15], this makes it a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, haemorrhoids and capillary fragility[16].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A green dye is obtained from the leaves and the fruit and is used to colour fabrics[21]. A blue or black dye is obtained from the fruit[1][7]. This can be used as an ink[20].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Ink

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, Macedonia, the Caucasus and N. Asia
Habitat
Heaths, moors and woods on acid soils to 1250 metres[8][12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[22]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[3]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[14]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[22]. Slow and difficult. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn. Layering in late summer or early autumn[22]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[14]. Takes 18 months[22]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[2][14]. 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[8][14]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[14].Tolerates some shade, succeeding in light woodland. Very tolerant of wind and exposure[12]. Plants do not always do well in sheltered positions and they fruit better in an exposed position[4]. They can also form the ground layer in acid woods[12]. A freely suckering shrub when growing well[10]. Plants quickly regenerate from below ground level if they are burnt and also tolerate some grazing[12]. One report says the plant is self-sterile[17], another that it is self-fertile[8]. The fruits are relished by wildlife and the plants provide food for a number of insect species[12]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[14].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  4. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

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  5. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

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  6. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

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  7. Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820

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  8. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  10. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  11. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  12. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  13. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  14. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  15. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  16. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  17. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩1↩2

  18. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  19. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  20. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

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  21. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  22. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  23. Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-7225-0445-4

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  24. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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