The bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
The genus Vaccinium belongs to the Heather Family and comprises many evergreen or deciduous shrubs widely distributed over the Northern hemisphere and across the mountains of South America. Apart from high-altitude Alpine woodland, species of Vaccinium are found on heaths and moors, where they often grow side by side with ericas and heather. The foliage takes on beautiful autumn colours, and all the species have berries of varying colours.
In the Alps, bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) are found in open woodland.
In the Alps, bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) are found in open woodland.