Bearberries
Bearberry
hede-melbærris/bjerg-melbærris (Danish), mjoøbær (Norwegian), mjölon (Swedish), sianpuolukka (Finnish), macznica lekarska (Polish)
(Arctostaphylos uva ursi -- Family Ericaceae)
Bearberries are the fruit from several species of the same genus. Its botanical name means "bear's grapes", which eventually became the bearberry. The plant is a low scrubby bush which grows wild in northern and Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and America. It provides dryish fruits which are generally eaten only in times of famine -- or by bears. However, the berries of A. alpina, the alpine bearberry, which are less dry and reasonably pleasant to eat, are consumed in Lapland and parts of Russia.
