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| Identification |
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Genus
Vaccinium
Species
myrtillus
Variety
Cultivar
Common names
blaeberry
whortleberry
Lus an Deare
bilberry
whinberry
Family
ERICACEAE
Specimen number
S11939
Data source
DyePl p65;GrUnFr p39;MedPl p278
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| Life cycle |
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Life form
Terrestrial
Life cycle
Various
Life span
Annual cycle
Deciduous
Stature
Shrub
Growth form
Various
Growth habit
Not applicable
Overall height
6" - 1' 6"
Overall spread
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| Climate |
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Sunshine
Various
Water
Various
Optimal soil texture
Various
Acceptable soil pH
Soil pH 04-06
USDA hardiness
Not classified
AHS heat zones
Not classified
Sunset climate zones
Not classified
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| Garden |
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Suitable for gardens
no
Nursery
Unknown
Compost
no
Size at acquisition
Unknown
Garden location
Unknown
Garden notes
A range of possible colors can be produced by Vaccinium myrtillus including brown, purple and blue. Blaeberry has been used in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland for dyeing. Vaccinium myrtillus is known as Lus an Deare in Gaelic.
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| Special qualities |
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Tolerates drought
no
Tolerates high humidity
no
Tolerates seaside conditions
no
Insect resistant
no
Disease resistant
no
Deer resistant
no
Best uses
Symbiosis
Attracts butterflies
no
Attracts hummingbirds
no
Autumn foliage
no
Colorful berries
no
Desirable qualities
Other interest
Other interest color
Other interest period
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| Adverse factors |
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Common pests
Poisonous parts
Poisonous indications
Internal poison
no
Dermatologic poison
no
Livestock poison
no
Mechanical injury
no
Hay fever pollen
Hay fever season
Adverse qualities
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| Herbal medicine |
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Medicinal properties
antibacterial
antisclerotic
urinary antiseptic
Medicinal parts
Fruit
Leaves
Has medicinal uses
yes
Do not self-administer
no
Do no use if pregnant
no
Legally restricted
no
Toxicity precautions
Medicinal notes
It is juicy and slightly acidic. As a food source, Vaccinium myrtillus is often used in jelly and in sweets. Blaeberry (sometimes called whortleberry, bilberry or whinberry) is most commonly used fresh. This plant is used as a traditional herbal remedy. It's used as an antibacterial, an antisclerotic and a urinary antiseptic. The fruit and the leaves are used in herbal preparations.
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| Traditional uses |
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Parts used
Traditional uses
Contemporary uses
Fragrance
Fragrance parts
Fragrance intensity
Fragrance category
Dye parts
Dye color
brown,purple,blue
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| Cultivation |
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Propagule
Various
Pollination method
Cross pollination
Planting style
Crop spacing
2'
Row spacing
Cold frame
Planting period
Harvesting period
Jul 01 - Aug 31
Frost tolerance
Heat requirement
Fertilizer
Typical
Time to harvest
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| Nutrition |
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Is edible
yes
Culinary uses
Fresh
Jelly
Sweets
Nutritional value
Edible parts
Fruit
Description of edible parts
Flavor / texture
juicy and slightly acidic
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| Horticulture |
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Horticulture notes
In order to produce fruit Vaccinium myrtillus needs to be cross-pollinated. Typical crop spacing is 2'. Harvest time is July and August. Blaeberry (in some places called whortleberry, bilberry or whinberry) probably originates from Scotland and Northern Europe.
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| Herbarium |
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Tag needs printing
no
Collection notes
Vaccinium myrtillus is deciduous in nature.
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