common bilberry
ExplorePlants
common bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
Common bilberries are small, round berries that grow on low bushes. They are delicious and can be found in forests and mountains, often turning blue when ripe!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The common bilberry is a low-growing shrub with small, oval, bright green leaves. Its tiny, bell-shaped flowers are often pinkish-green. The dark blue-black berries have a dusty bloom and a flat top, distinguishing them from cultivated blueberries.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusVaccinium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Bilberry berries have been used for dyeing fabrics for hundreds of years!
Bilberry bushes can live for over 30 years in the wild!
Its leaves turn a beautiful fiery red in autumn before falling off.
The tiny bell-shaped flowers are also edible and taste slightly sweet.
Special abilities
Ability
Underground Networker
Common bilberry has spreading underground stems (rhizomes) that help it form dense patches and regenerate quickly.
Ability
Winter Warrior
Its small, tough stems and deciduous leaves help it survive harsh, cold winters in mountainous and northern regions.
Ability
Berry Stainer
The deep purple pigments in its berries can stain teeth and fabrics, helping attract animals for seed dispersal.
Ability
Acid Lover
It can grow well in acidic, nutrient-poor soils where many other plants struggle, giving it a unique advantage.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-60 cm
- Spread
- 10-20 cm
- Flower Size
- 4-6 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late Spring - Early Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
Brown Bear
Ursus arctos
Bears eagerly consume its nutritious berries.
eaten by
Roe Deer
Capreolus capreolus
Deer browse on its leaves and young shoots.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Bees gather nectar from its small flowers.
eaten by
Eurasian Red Squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
Squirrels feed on its berries and flower buds.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Fruit Tree
A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Mountain
This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
European BlueberryWild Blueberry
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before picking and eating wild berries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is common bilberry?
10-60 cm
How wide does common bilberry spread?
10-20 cm
How big are the flowers on common bilberry?
4-6 cm
When does common bilberry bloom?
Late Spring - Early Summer
Is common bilberry edible?
Yes
Is common bilberry toxic?
None
What is common bilberry's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is common bilberry pollinated?
Insect
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