Plant Details

Vaccinium arctostaphylos

Caucasian Whortleberry

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Vaccinium arctostaphylos.

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Common names

14 names · 11 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Caucasian Whortleberry[1]
Other languages (10)
Dutch
  • Kaukasische blauwe bosbes
  • Kaukasische bosbes[1]
French
  • Airelle du Caucase
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 格鲁吉亚越橘[1]
Czech
  • brusnice medvědí[1]
Estonian
  • kaukaasia mustikas[1]
Lithuanian
  • Kaukazinė šilauogė[1]
Russian
  • Черника кавказская[1]
Slovak
  • čučoriedka kaukazská[1]
Swedish
  • kaukasiskt blåbär[1]
Turkish
  • Ayıüzümü[1]
  • Likarpa[1]
  • Trabzon Çayı[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Vaccinium arctostaphylos — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Caucasian Whortleberry — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • kaukaasia mustikas — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • brusnice medvědí — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • Черника кавказская — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • Kaukazinė šilauogė — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • kaukasiskt blåbär — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • Kaukasische bosbes — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • čučoriedka kaukazská — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • 格鲁吉亚越橘 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • Ayıüzümü — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • Trabzon Çayı — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.
  • Likarpa — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 485738; Vaccinium arctostaphylos.

General information

Scientific name: Vaccinium arctostaphylos
Accepted name (Kew): Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Ericaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Vaccinium (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Caucasian Whortleberry
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: Deciduous

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium)
pH:
Acidic
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
None

Description

Fruit - to be consumed raw or cooked. The fruit is juicy with a slightly sour taste, making it a moderately appealing snack, although not particularly remarkable. This fruit is usually produced abundantly when the plant thrives well. The pear-shaped fruits are small, about 8 - 10 mm in size. Additionally, the leaves can be used as a substitute for tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/07
Harvest ends: 15/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 189682; name ID 2459130; Vaccinium L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 188297; name ID 2458792; Vaccinium arctostaphylos L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.