Common Name: Bilberry

General Information

Vaccinium myrtillus is a much-branched, deciduous shrub growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; it forms open colonies usually 5 - 30cm tall, exceptionally up to 120cm[, ].
Bilberries are a popular wild fruit in Europe, where they are often gathered from the wild for local use. The plant is also a popular herbal remedy that is often made into proprietary medicines.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - Norway to Portugal, east through northern Asia to Siberia, Mongolia, China and Japan; Western N. America - British Colombia to New Mexico

Habitat

Heaths, moors and woods on acid soils to 1,250 metres[, ]. Heaths, montane heaths, boggy barrens, degraded meadows, open coniferous forests, oak parklands, disturbed or open birch woods, hummocky seepage slopes, moraines; to 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[, ]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[, ].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].Tolerates some shade, succeeding in light woodland. Very tolerant of wind and exposure[]. Plants do not always do well in sheltered positions and they fruit better in an exposed position[]. They can also form the ground layer in acid woods[].
A freely suckering shrub when growing well[]. Plants quickly regenerate from below ground level if they are burnt and also tolerate some grazing[].
One report says the plant is self-sterile[], another that it is self-fertile[].
The fruits are relished by wildlife and the plants provide food for a number of insect species[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Sweet and very tasty[, , , , , , ], they make an excellent preserve, their small seeds making them suitable for jam[]. A slightly acid flavour when eaten raw[]. The fruit can be dried and used like currants[]. The purple-black to bluish-black fruit is up to 10mm in diameter[].

A tea is made from the leaves[, , ].

Medicinal

The dried leaves are used in the treatment of a variety of complaints[]. An infusion is strongly astringent, diuretic, tonic and an antiseptic for the urinary tract[]. It can also lower blood sugar levels and can be helpful in the treatment of diabetes[]. Another report says that the leaves can be helpful in pre-diabetic states but that they are not an alternative to conventional treatment[].
A distilled water made from the leaves is an excellent eyewash for soothing inflamed or sore eyes[].
The leaves should be harvested in early autumn, only green leaves being selected, and then dried in gentle heat[].
The leaves should not be used medicinally for more than 3 weeks at a time[].

A decoction of the leaves or bark is applied locally in the treatment of ulcers and in ulceration of the mouth and throat[].

Whilst the fresh fruit has a slightly laxative effect upon the body, when dried it is astringent and is commonly used in the treatment of diarrhoea etc[, , ]. The dried fruit is also antibacterial and a decoction is useful for treating diarrhoea in children[].
A jelly prepared from the berries is used for the treatment of gastric ailments[].
The skin of the fruits contains anthocyanin and is specific in the treatment of hemeralopia (day-blindness)[]. The fruit is a rich source of anthocyanosides, which have been shown experimentally to dilate the blood vessels[], this makes it a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, haemorrhoids and capillary fragility[].


The fruit contains tannins and anthocyanosides[]
The tannin are astringent and are responsible for the potential benefits in the treatment of diarrhoea and irritation of the mouth and throat mucosa[].
Anthocyanoside constituents increase the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, decrease vascular permeability, reduce basement membrane thickness, and aid in the redistribution of microvascular blood flow and the formation of interstitial fluid[].
An anthocyanadin pigment found in bilberry fruit might have anti-ulcer and gastroprotective effects[].
Preliminary evidence indicates these constituents are widely distributed in the body after oral administration and are eliminated by the kidneys[].
Laboratory research also suggests that anthocyanadins have anti-inflammatory and anti-oedema effects[].

Bilberry leaves contain polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, and a relatively high concentration of chromium (9.0 ppm)[].
The leaves contain glucoquinones, which have been shown to reduce the levels of sugar in the blood[].
The chromium in bilberry leaf is theorized to play a role in potential blood glucose lowering activity[].
Bilberry leaf also contains a glucokinin, neomirtilline, that seems to lower blood glucose levels[].
Some researchers think that flavonoids in bilberry leaf might also be useful for treating diabetic circulatory disorders[].
Preliminary evidence suggests that a bilberry leaf extract might have blood glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol lowering effects[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are a rich source of nectar and very attractive to bees, yielding a tasty and aromatic honey[].

Other Uses

A green dye is obtained from the leaves and the fruit and is used to colour fabrics[].
A blue or black dye is obtained from the fruit[, , ]. This can be used as an ink[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[]. Slow and difficult.
Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn.
Layering in late summer or early autumn[]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[]. Takes 18 months[].
Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[].