Vaccinium vitis idaea
Cowberry, Lingonberry, Northern mountain cranberry, Cranberry
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Vaccinium vitis idaea.
Plant photos
2 photos · Select to enlarge
Flowers of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.
Bartosz Cuber / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Vaccinium vitis-idaea - flowers.jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Fruit of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.
Abuluntu / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Abuluntu Vaccinium vitis-idaea.jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Common names
7 names · 3 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Cowberry
- Cranberry
- Lingonberry
+1 more nameShow fewer names
- Northern mountain cranberry
Other languages (2)
- Dutch
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- Rode bosbes
- Vossenbes
- French
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- Airelle rouge
Sources & name notes
Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
General information
Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium)
Acidic
Partial shade, Full sun
Uses
Fruit, Tea
Dye, Bee forage, Ground cover
Description
Fruit: edible both raw and cooked. The berries are delicious to eat and have a sour taste that becomes even better after frost. They are often used as cranberries in preserved products. Sometimes the harvest of the berries can take place twice a year. The fruits are about 6 mm in diameter. Leaves: Tea can be made from the leaves; however, it should be consumed in moderation as the leaves contain the toxic substance arbutin.
Harvest
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
Relevant sections
- Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., name ID 2457314, row 595553
- Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 189682; name ID 2459130; Vaccinium L.. Family column.
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.