Bilberry

{{Short description|Species of shrub with edible berries}} {{About|the wild "European" blueberry|the commonly cultivated "American" blueberry|Blueberry|other uses}} thumb|Bilberries

'''Bilberry''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɪ|l|b|ə|r|i}}), also known as '''European blueberry''', is a Eurasian low-growing shrub in the genus ''Vaccinium'' of the flowering plant family Ericaceae native to northern Europe and North America.<ref name="nordgen">{{Cite web |title=Bilberry or European blueberry (''Vaccinium myrtillus'' L.)|publisher=NordGen, Nordic Genetic Resource Center|url=https://www.nordgen.org/projects/crop-wild-relatives/plant-portraits/bilberry-or-european-blueberry-vaccinium-myrtillus-l/ |access-date=2025-08-10}}</ref><ref name="nih">{{cite web |date=November 2024 |title=Bilberry |url=https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/bilberry |access-date=23 September 2025 |publisher=National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health}}</ref> ''Vaccinium myrtillus'' L. is the species most commonly called ''bilberry'', but other closely related Vaccinium species may also have this name.<ref name=nordgen/><ref name="kron">{{cite journal |author1=Kathleen A. Kron |author2=E. Ann Powell |author3=J. L. Luteyn |year=2002 |title=Phylogenetic relationships within the blueberry tribe (Vaccinieae, Ericaceae) based on sequence data from MATK and nuclear ribosomal ITS regions, with comments on the placement of ''Satyria'' |journal=American Journal of Botany |volume=89 |issue=2 |pages=327–336 |doi=10.3732/ajb.89.2.327 |pmid=21669741|url=https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3732/ajb.89.2.327|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The plant produces edible, dark blue berries, which resemble – but are distinct from – North American blueberries.<ref name=nih/> The dark blue color of bilberries derives from the high content of anthocyanins.<ref name=nordgen/><ref name=nih/><ref name=drugs/>

Well known in folklore, bilberry extracts and dried powders are sold as dietary supplements promoted mainly for eye disorders, although there is no substantial clinical evidence that consuming bilberry fruit or its preparations provides any health benefits.<ref name=nih/><ref name="drugs">{{cite web |title=Bilberry |url=https://www.drugs.com/npp/bilberry.html |publisher=Drugs.com |access-date=23 September 2025 |date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

== Etymology and regional names == The name "bilberry" appears to have a Scandinavian origin, possibly from as early as 1577, while the earliest known English use of the name "blueberry" dates back to 1594, appearing in the Acts of Parliament of Scotland.<ref name="diction">{{cite web |title=Bilberry |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/bilberry |publisher=Dictionary.com |access-date=23 September 2025 |date=2025}}</ref><ref name=mw/> The name "bilberry" is similar to the Danish word {{lang|da|bølle}} for ''whortleberry'' with the addition of "berry".<ref name=diction/><ref name="mw">{{cite web|title=Bilberry |work=Merriam-Webster Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-Webster, Incorporated |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bilberry|date=2025|access-date=23 September 2025}}</ref> In Scandinavian languages, terms for bilberries have names with the meaning "blueberry", such as {{lang|sv|blåbär}} in Swedish and {{lang|no|blåbær}} in Danish and Norwegian.<ref name="nordgen" />

The bilberry (especially ''Vaccinium myrtillus'') may be called ''blaeberry'' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|l|eɪ|b|ɛr|i}} in Scottish and Northern English regional dialects,<ref name=Blamey>{{cite book|last1=Blamey|first1=M.|last2=Fitter|first2=R.|last3=Fitter|first3=A|year=2003|title=Wildflowers of Britain and Ireland: The Complete Guide to the British and Irish Flora.|publisher=A & C Black|location=London|isbn=978-1-4081-7950-5|page=106}}</ref> ''whortleberry'' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|hw|ɜːr|t|ə|b|r|i}} in southern England,<ref name=Blamey /> and {{lang|ga|fraochán}} in Ireland.<ref name="bilberry-1">{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2025/0725/1525282-bilberries-bilberry-sunday-ireland-folklore-lughnasa-festival/|title=It's Bilberry Sunday this weekend but have you ever eaten one?|website=rte.ie|date=25 July 2025|access-date=28 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="bilberry-2">{{cite web|url=https://pilgrimagemedievalireland.com/2012/07/28/billberry-sunday/|title=Billberry Sunday|website=pilgrimagemedievalireland.com|date=28 July 2012|access-date=28 July 2025}}</ref>

== Description == thumb|Ripe bilberry and leaves thumb|150px|The interiors of bilberries (top) have dark-colored flesh, while bog bilberries (bottom) have pale flesh.

Bilberries, which are native to Europe, are different from North American blueberries, although the species are closely related and belong to the same genus, ''Vaccinium''.<ref name=nordgen/><ref name=nih/>

Bilberries are non-climacteric berries with a smooth, circular outline at the end opposite the stalk, whereas American blueberries retain persistent sepals there, leaving a rough, star-shaped pattern of five flaps.<ref>{{cite book |last= Voss |first= E.G. |date= 1996|title= Michigan Flora Part III Dicots Concluded |publisher= Cranbrook Institute of Science|page=46 |isbn=1-877370-40-1}}</ref> Bilberries grow singly or in pairs rather than in clusters, as American blueberries do, and American blueberries have more evergreen leaves. Bilberries are dark in color, and often appear near black with a slight shade of purple.<ref name=nordgen/><ref name=nih/>

===Phytochemicals=== Bilberries contain diverse polyphenols, including tannins, organic acids, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins, specifically anthocyanidins as delphinidin and cyanidin glycosides.<ref name=nih/><ref name=drugs/><ref name="kaunus" /><ref>{{cite journal |journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry |last1=Lätti |first1=A.K. |last2=Riihinen |first2=K.R. |last3=Kainulainen |first3=P.S. |title=Analysis of anthocyanin variation in wild populations of bilberry (''Vaccinium myrtillus'' L.) in Finland |year=2008 |volume=56 |issue=1|pages=190–6 |pmid=18072741 |doi=10.1021/jf072857m |bibcode=2008JAFC...56..190L }}</ref> ''V. myrtillus'' bilberry pulp is red or purple, and ''V. uliginosum'' bog bilberry pulp is pale-colored.{{cn|date=September 2025}} The high anthocyanin content of ''V. myrtillus'' may cause staining of the fingers, lips, and tongue.<ref name="kaunus">{{cite journal|journal=Medicina (Kaunas)|year=2007|volume=43|issue=12|pages=971–7|title=Study of diversity of anthocyanin composition in bilberry (''Vaccinium myrtillus'' L.) fruits|last1=Burdulis |first1=D. |last2=Ivanauskas |first2=L. |last3=Dirse |first3=V. |last4=Kazlauskas |first4=S. |last5=Razukas |first5=A.|doi=10.3390/medicina43120127 |pmid=18182842|url=http://medicina.lsmuni.lt/med/0712/0712-09e.pdf|doi-access=free }}</ref> The anthocyanin content of bilberries and bilberry juice may exceed the levels seen in blueberries and blueberry juice.<ref name="muller">{{cite journal |vauthors=Müller D, Schantz M, Richling E |title=High performance liquid chromatography analysis of anthocyanins in bilberries (''Vaccinium myrtillus'' L.), blueberries (''Vaccinium corymbosum'' L.), and corresponding juices |journal=Journal of Food Science |volume=77 |issue=4 |pages=C340–5 |date=April 2012 |pmid=22394068 |doi=10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02605.x |bibcode=2012JFooS..77605.xM |url=https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02605.x |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Species== The term ''bilberries'' can describe several closely related species, which (except for ''V. uliginosum'') are part of section ''Myrtillus'':<ref name=kron/> * ''Vaccinium myrtillus'' L. (bilberry) * ''Vaccinium uliginosum'' L. (bog bilberry, bog blueberry, bog whortleberry, bog huckleberry, northern bilberry, ground hurts) * ''Vaccinium cespitosum'' Michx. (dwarf bilberry) * ''Vaccinium deliciosum'' Piper (Cascade bilberry) * ''Vaccinium membranaceum'' (mountain bilberry, black mountain huckleberry, black huckleberry, twin-leaved huckleberry) * ''Vaccinium ovalifolium'' (oval-leafed blueberry, oval-leaved bilberry, mountain blueberry, high-bush blueberry).

== Ecology == Bilberry plants can suffer from bilberry blight,<ref name="NatEn">{{cite web |title=Phytophthora |url=http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/biodiversity/threats/phytophthora.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327094135/http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/biodiversity/threats/phytophthora.aspx |archive-date=27 March 2012 |access-date=26 June 2011 |publisher=Natural England}}</ref> caused by ''Phytophthora kernoviae''. There have been severe outbreaks in Staffordshire, England.<ref name="StaffsCC">{{cite web |title=Disease of Bilberry (Phytophthora) |url=https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/environment/eLand/Countryside/phytophthora/ChannelHome.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127004607/https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/environment/eLand/Countryside/phytophthora/ChannelHome.aspx |archive-date=27 January 2018 |access-date=26 January 2018 |publisher=Staffordshire County Council}}</ref>

Bilberry is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}

== Harvesting == {{More citations needed section|date=August 2025}} thumb|Closeup of bilberries

Bilberries are found in acidic, nutrient-poor soils throughout the temperate and subarctic regions of the world.<ref name=nordgen/><ref name=nih/><ref name=drugs/><ref name=kron/> Because they are difficult to grow and the fruit is small, bilberries are seldom cultivated.<ref name=nordgen/> Fruits are mostly collected from wild plants growing on publicly accessible lands throughout northern and central Europe where they are plentiful;<ref name=nordgen/> for example, bilberries occur on about 17% of the land area of Sweden,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sweden.se/climate/nature/swedish-wildlife|title=This is your rough guide to nature and wildlife in Sweden|publisher=Swedish Institute|date=2025|access-date=16 January 2026}}</ref> where the berry is called blåbär (lit. "blueberry", which is a source of confusion with the North American blueberry).<ref>:sv:Blåbär</ref> Bilberries can be picked by a berry-picking rake like lingonberries, but are more susceptible to damage.

In Iceland, bilberries (known as ''aðalbláber'', or "prime blueberry") grow predominantly in Westfjords and the surrounding area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bilberry |url=https://www.iceland-nh.net/plants/data/Vaccinium-myrtillus/vaccinium_myrtillus.html |publisher=Flora of Iceland, Natural History of Iceland |access-date=23 September 2025 |date=2025}}</ref> In most of the country, the subtype bog blueberry occupies the same habitat. Both species are commonly found growing with dwarf birch and crowberries. Wild growth is vast compared to the population of Iceland and wild harvesting is legal, and a common activity in August when the berry season peaks.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}

In Ireland, bilberries (known as ''fraochán'') were traditionally gathered on the last Sunday in July, known as Bilberry Sunday, for the Celtic harvest festival of Lughnasadh, which marked the end of the hungry month of July.<ref name="bilberry-1"></ref><ref name="bilberry-2"></ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://emeraldisle.ie/bilberry-sunday|title=Bilberry Sunday|website=emeraldisle.ie|access-date=28 July 2025}}</ref>

== Uses == thumb|Bilberry pie, ''tarte aux myrtilles'' The fruits are eaten fresh or made into jams, fools, juices, or pies.<ref name=nordgen/><ref name=nih/> In France and Italy, they are used as a base for liqueurs and are a popular flavoring for sorbets and other desserts. In Brittany, they are often used as a flavoring for crêpes. In the Vosges and the Massif Central, bilberry tart (''tarte aux myrtilles'') is a traditional dessert. In Romania, they are used as a base for a liqueur called ''afinată'' – the name of the fruit in Romanian is ''afină''. In Nordic countries, they are eaten fresh or made into jams and other dishes, including bilberry pie (Finnish ''mustikkapiirakka'', Swedish ''blåbärspaj'') and ''blåbärssoppa'', a bilberry soup served hot or cold. In Iceland, they are eaten with skyr (a cultured dairy product similar to yoghurt). In Poland, they are eaten fresh (often mixed with sugar), as a filling in a sweet yeast-leavened bun known as ''jagodzianka'', in jams, and with śmietana.

===Research=== Although bilberries have been used in traditional medicine, there are no proven health benefits or antidisease effects from consuming them.<ref name=nih/><ref name=drugs/> One review of low-quality clinical research concluded there was no evidence that consuming bilberries improves night vision.<ref name="Canter">{{cite journal | last1=Canter | first1=Peter H | last2=Ernst | first2=Edzard | title=Anthocyanosides of ''Vaccinium myrtillus'' (Bilberry) for Night Vision—A Systematic Review of Placebo-Controlled Trials | journal=Survey of Ophthalmology | volume=49 | issue=1 | year=2004 | issn=0039-6257 | doi=10.1016/j.survophthal.2003.10.006 | pages=38–50| pmid=14711439 }}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{EB1911 poster|Bilberry}} {{Wiktionary|bilberry|whimberry}}

*{{Commons inline|Vaccinium myrtillus|Bilberry}}

Category:Berries Category:Plant common names Category:Vaccinium

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