Vaccinium uliginosum, Bog bilberry, Bog blueberry, Moorberry, Western-huckleberry

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 8 min read

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Vaccinium uliginosum with many common names including Bog bilberry, Bog blueberry, Moorberry, Western-huckleberry, Alpine Blueberry, Northern Bilberry, Bog whortleberry and Ground Hurts is a low, highly branched, deciduous shrub of the heather family (Ericaceae) and Vaccinium genus. The plant is closely related to blueberry, cranberry, and huckleberry....

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

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Article Summary

Key Takeaways

This article explains Bog Bilberry Facts in simple medical language.
This article explains Bog Bilberry Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Few Traditional uses and benefits of Bog Bilberry in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

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Definition

Vaccinium uliginosum with many common names including Bog bilberry, Bog blueberry, Moorberry, Western-huckleberry, Alpine Blueberry, Northern Bilberry, Bog whortleberry and Ground Hurts is a low, highly branched, deciduous shrub of the heather family (Ericaceae) and Vaccinium genus. The plant is closely related to blueberry, cranberry, and huckleberry. The plant is native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, at low altitudes in the Arctic, and at high altitudes south to the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Caucasus in Europe, the mountains of Mongolia, northern China, the Korean Peninsula and central Japan in Asia, and the Sierra Nevada in California and the Rocky Mountains in Utah in North America. Vaccinium is the Latin word for “blueberry” or “whortleberry” and Uliginosum means “full of moisture” or “marshy.” Anthocyanins are responsible for the color of bog bilberries with over 15 different anthocyanins identified from bog bilberries grown in the west coast of Norway

Bog Bilberry Facts

Name	Bog Bilberry
Scientific Name	Vaccinium uliginosum
Native	Cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, at low altitudes in the Arctic, and at high altitudes south to the Pyrenees, the Alps
Common Names	Alpine Blueberry, bog bilberry, bog blueberry, Northern Bilberry
Name in Other Languages	Arabic: وكب almanaqie (المناقع) Azerbaijani: Cır mərsin Bashkir: Ҡара көртмәле Belarusian: Bujaki (Буякі) Belarusian (Taraškievica): Дурніцы Buryat (Russia): Нэрhэн Catalan: Nabinera alpina Catalan, Valencian: Nabiu uliginós Chinese: De guǒ (地果), Diān guǒ (甸果), Dǔ sī (笃斯), Dǔ sī yuè jú (笃斯越桔), Há táng guǒ (蛤螗果), 讷日苏, Hēidòu (黑豆), Lóng guǒ (龙果), Dǔ sī yuè jú (笃斯越橘) Czech: Vlochyně bahenní Danish: Mosebølle (plante) Dutch: Rijsbes Dutch Low Saxon: Riesbees English: Bog bilberry, Bog blueberry, Moorberry, Western-huckleberry, Alpine Blueberry, Northern Bilberry, Bog whortleberry , Ground Hurts Estonian: Sinikas Finnish: Juolukka French: Airelle de marécages, Myrtille des marais German: Moosbeere, Rauschbeere, Sumpf-Heidelbeere, Trunkelbeere, bleuet traînard, myrtille de loup, Myrtille des marais Japanese: kuromamenoki Galician: Arandeira negra Icelandic: Bláberjalyng, Aðalbláber Japanese: Kuromamenoki ( クロマメノキ) Komi: Чӧдлач Korean: Dultdzugnamu (들쭉나무) Lithuanian: Vaivoras Northern Sami: Ehtemas Norwegian: Blokkebær Norwegian (Nynorsk): Blokkebær Norwegian Nynorsk: Blokkebær Ossetian, Ossetic: Къабузæг Ossetic: Къабузæг Polish: Borówka bagienna Russian: Golubika (Голубика) Sami (Northern): Ehtemas Spanish: arándano de los pantanos Swedish: Odon Turkish: Bataklık yaban mersini Ukrainian: Buyakhy (Буяхи)
Plant Growth Habit	Low, highly branched, deciduous shrub
Growing Climate	Coastal and interior bogs, cotton grass tussock tundra, low shrub tundra, sedge meadows, black or white spruce woodlands, forested areas, rocky or sandy shores of lakes and streams, rock outcrops, and barrens
Soil	Organic or inorganic soils that are generally acidic. Found on well-drained to poorly drained sites
Plant Size	10–75 centimeters (0.33–2.46 ft.) tall, rarely 1 meter (3.3 ft.) tall
Twigs	Twigs are slender. Older twigs have gray, shreddy bark
Leaf	Alternate, deciduous, from broadly egg-shaped to oval or elliptic, 0.4-3 cm long, 0.2-1.5 cm wide, rounded at tips, tapered at base, glabrous or minutely hairy, green above, lower surfaces pale
Flower	Pendulous, urn-shaped, pale pink, 4–6 mm long, produced in mid spring
Fruit Shape & Size	Berry 5–8 millimeters (0.20–0.31 in) diameter
Fruit Color	Green when young turning to dark blue-black
Flesh Color	White
Seed	Light brown, sickle-shaped with sharp ends, and have a punctate-reticulate skin
Taste	Sweet
Plant Parts Used	Dried ripe fruit
Varieties/Types	Vaccinium uliginosum subsp. microphyllum Vaccinium uliginosum subsp. occidentale

Bog Bilberry Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Vaccinium uliginosum

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (land plants)
Superdivision	Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Subclass	Dilleniidae
Order	Ericales
Family	Ericaceae (Heath family)
Genus	Vaccinium L. (blueberry)
Species	Vaccinium uliginosum L. (bog blueberry)
Synonyms	Vaccinium gaultherioides Bigelow Vaccinium occidentale A. Gray Vaccinium pedris Holub Vaccinium pubescens Wormsk. ex Hornem Vaccinium uliginosum var. album J.Y. Ma & Yue Zhang Vaccinium uliginosum subsp. gaultherioides (Bigelow) S.B. Young Vaccinium uliginosum var. gaultherioides (Bigelow) Bigelow Vaccinium uliginosum subsp. occidentale (A. Gray) Hultén Vaccinium uliginosum var. occidentale (A. Gray) H. Hara Vaccinium uliginosum var. pedris Harshb Vaccinium uliginosum subsp. pubescens (Wormsk. ex Hornem.) Vaccinium uliginosum var. pubescens (Wormsk. ex Hornem.) Hornem Vaccinium uliginosum f. pubescens (Wormsk. ex Hornem.) Polunin

Plant Description

Bog Bilberry is a low, highly branched, deciduous shrub that grows about 10–75 centimeters (0.33–2.46 ft.) tall, rarely 1 meter (3.3 ft.) tall with round, gray-brown, glabrous branches and a creeping rhizome. The plant is found growing in coastal and interior bogs, cotton grass tussock tundra, low shrub tundra, sedge meadows, black or white spruce woodlands, forested areas, rocky or sandy shores of lakes and streams, rock outcrops and barrens. The plant prefers organic or inorganic soils that are generally acidic and is found growing abundantly on well-drained to poorly drained sites. The plant has many green, triangular, erect stems and twigs are slender. Older twigs have gray, shreddy bark.

Leaves

Leaves are alternate, deciduous, from broadly egg-shaped to oval or elliptic, 0.4-3 cm long, 0.2-1.5 cm wide, rounded at tips, tapered at base, glabrous or minutely hairy, with slight bloom, strongly net-veined, margins entire, rolled under somewhat. The undersurface has a protruding, reticulate vein system and is blue-green. The upper surface of the leaves is light matte-green to almost white.

Flower & Fruit

The flowers are arranged in axils of small leaves at the end of short lateral branches. They are hanging and white or reddish in color. The pedicle is encircled at the base with a light brown bud husk. The calyx is fused with the ovary. The fruit is a round or pear-shaped, blue-frosted multi-seeded dark blue-black berry 5–8 millimeters (0.20–0.31 in) diameter, with a white flesh, edible and sweet when ripe in late summer. The light brown seeds are sickle-shaped with sharp ends, and have a punctate-reticulate skin.

Few Traditional uses and benefits of Bog Bilberry

An infusion of the leaves and sugar has been given to a mother a few days after childbirth in order to help her regain her strength.
Bog Bilberry is used for gastric and intestinal catarrh, diarrhea and bladder complaints.

Culinary Uses

Bog blueberries are edible and have good flavor.
Berries are often picked in large quantities and used in jams, jellies, and pies.
Fresh or dried leaves can be used for tea.
The fruit can also be dried and used like raisins.
A tea is made from the leaves and dried fruits.
In Korea, bog bilberry is used in infused liquor.

Precautions

The fruit can cause headaches if they are eaten in large quantities.
Consumption of large quantities of the fruits may results in queasiness, vomiting, states of intoxication, feelings of weakness and visual disorders.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
Do not combine multiple pain medicines without advice, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcer, asthma, pregnancy, or take blood thinners.
Do not give adult medicines to children unless a qualified clinician advises it.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first

If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story

Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician

A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests

Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse

If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

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