American Cranberry

vaccinium macrocarpon

The American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a resilient, low-growing evergreen dwarf shrub native to the acidic peat bogs and wet sand acidic wetlands of eastern North America. Renowned for its tart, vibrant red berries, this plant plays a significant role in both indigenous traditions and modern agricultural industries. Rather than growing tall, it forms creeping mats of woody stems that hug the damp ground, spreading slowly through underground runners. In addition to its ecological value as a food source for wetland fauna, the American Cranberry is a cultural icon. It represents one of the few commercially cultivated fruits native to North America, celebrated globally during autumn harvest seasons. Its ability to thrive in nutrient-poor, waterlogged soils showcases its remarkable evolutionary adaptations. Discover and identify species like American Cranberry with the Snappit app.

Habitat: Found in acidic bogs, peatlands, and wet, sandy marshes across eastern North America.

Appearance

The American Cranberry is characterized by slender, creeping woody vines that grow up to 2 meters long but rise only 5 to 20 centimeters off the ground. Its small, oblong, leathery evergreen leaves are dark green during the growing season and turn a rich bronze-purple color in the winter. During late spring, the plant produces delicate, nodding, light pinkish-white flowers with recurved petals resembling a crane's head. These are followed by spherical or pear-shaped green berries that ripen into a glossy, deep crimson red, measuring about 9 to 20 millimeters in diameter.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusVaccinium

American Cranberry

Interesting facts

Cranberries do not grow directly in water; they grow on dry land in acidic bogs that are intentionally flooded during harvest season so the berries float to the surface.

Some commercial cranberry vines are over a hundred years old and still produce healthy fruit every year.

The name 'cranberry' is derived from the German-Dutch word 'craneberry' because the pink blossoms resembled the head, neck, and bill of a crane.

Special abilities

Each mature cranberry fruit contains four small air pockets that allow it to float, aiding in water-based seed dispersal and facilitating efficient wet-harvesting.

The plant partners with specialized ericoid mycorrhizal fungi in its root system, allowing it to absorb nutrients in highly acidic, oxygen-poor soils.

The leaves feature a thick, waxy cuticle and alter their pigmentation to a bronze hue in winter, protecting the plant from cold damage and desiccation.

Measurements & details

Length: 5-20 cm
Lifespan: 50-150 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic plant, the American Cranberry produces its own organic sugars using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, while absorbing essential minerals through its acidic soil roots.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon dioxide
Soil nutrients

Ecological connections

mutualism

Common Bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

The Common Bumblebee is a crucial pollinator of cranberry flowers, vibrating the blossoms to release pollen.

eaten by

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Black Bears forage heavily on ripe cranberry fruits in the autumn to build up fat reserves for winter.

eaten by

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

White-tailed deer browse on the evergreen foliage and tender woody stems of the cranberry vine.

Traits

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Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify American Cranberry?

The easiest way to identify American Cranberry is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is American Cranberry?

5-20 cm

How long does American Cranberry live?

50-150 years

What does American Cranberry eat?

As a photosynthetic plant, the American Cranberry produces its own organic sugars using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, while absorbing essential minerals through its acidic soil roots.

Where is American Cranberry usually found?

Found in acidic bogs, peatlands, and wet, sandy marshes across eastern North America.