Practical
Plants

Vaccinium uliginosum

Bog Bilberry

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Vaccinium genus in the family Ericaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.75 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

The fruit can cause headaches if they are eaten in large quantities[3]. This is probably the result of infestation by a fungus[15].

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][12][5][11]. Juicy and sweet[3]. The fruit can also be dried and used like raisins[14]. A reasonable source of vitamin C[11]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[10]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. A tea is made from the leaves and dried fruits[2].

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.

Antiseptic, astringent, carminative, hypnotic and hypoglycaemic[7][9]. An infusion of the leaves and sugar have been given to a mother a few days after childbirth in order to help her regain her strength[11].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Birthing aid
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic

Environment

Range
Northern Europe, including Britain, through northern Asia to Japan. Northern N. America.
Habitat
Bogs and moist copses in mountains and moorlands of northern Britain[13][6][8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
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[16]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[4]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[10]. 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[16]. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn[16]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[10]. Takes 18 months[16]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[4].

Cultivation

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

Requires a moist or wet lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[3][10]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Grows well in a bog garden[12]. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[10]. Requires shelter from strong winds[10]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[10]. This species is closely allied to V. myrtillus[8]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. 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

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

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

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  7. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8

    ↩

  10. 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↩8

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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  14. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

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  15. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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