Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.

Cowberry

Ericaceae

Taxonomy

Classification

Group: Spermatophytina (Spermatophytes)
Family: Ericaceae (Heath family)
Genus: Vaccinium (Blueberry)

Synonyms

Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Rhodococcum vitis-idaea
Vaccinium punctatum

Related species

Vaccinium oxycoccos L. - Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton - American Cranberry
Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. - Cowberry
Vaccinium uliginosum L. - Bog Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus L. - Bilberry

Traits


    Dwarf shrub, maximal 40 cm tall. inflorescence: terminal, racemose. flowers: bell- or funnel-shaped, reddish to whitish. corolla: 4–5‑leaved. corolla-lobes: maximal 30 % incised. stamina: 8–10. ovary: hypogynous. fruits: berries, reddish. stem: erect. leaves: evergre...

    You find the complete description in our identification books.

Distribution

Distribution in Europe


Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Legend

The colours represent the floristic status of the species in the respective region. Green indicates native occurrences, light green naturalized occurrences. Adventive occurrences are represented by light yellow shades and plants that are cultivated (but rarely occur in the wild) are dark yellow. Grey colours are used, if the floristic status of species is unknown or uncertain.


Distribution in Germany

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Legend

Natural, established occurences
Artificial occurences

The color intensity reflects the species' abundance

Data: Floristische Kartierung Deutschlands (Stand 2013), Bundesamt für Naturschutz (www.floraweb.de)

Ecology

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Status

  • native

Habitat

  • forests, shrubbery, bogs, sedge-lands, extensively used or natural grassland, dwarf shrub heaths, screes, rocky habitats

  • in nutrient-poor, acidic, periodically wet habitats

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