Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Distinguishing Features

Bearberry is a trailing, evergreen shrub with paddle-shaped leaves on flexible branches. The thick, leathery leaves are rolled under at the edges. They are yellow-green in spring, dark-green in summer, and reddish-purple in the fall. Leaves remain on the bush year-round. This low-growing shrub slowly spreads to form dense mats. This ground-trailing shrub has the papery, reddish, exfoliating bark typical of woody plants in northern climates. It is frequently seen as a ground cover in sandy areas.

Flowers

Small clusters of white-pink flowers hang down from the tips of branches. Their five petals are fused together, giving them an upside-down frilly-vase look. Blooms can appear any time from April to July. Fruit develops at the end of summer. Flowers produce red, shiny berries that are rather tasteless.

Leaves

Leaves are alternate, short-stalked, and they overwinter. Leaf blades are obovate, 1 to 3 cm (0.4 to 1.2”) long, leathery, glabrous, underside is green, and they have a clear net-like leaf venation.

Height

Bearberry typically grows to 15 to 20 centimetres (6 to 8”) tall. Its older stems tend to be reddish-brown to grey, fairly smooth and peeling, whereas new stems can be redder and covered with smooth hair.

Habitat

Bearberries typically grow along sandy and rocky areas including shorelines, slopes, ridges, hilltops and in coniferous and mixed woods. This hardy plant grows at various levels from sea level to sub-alpine. They also grow in dry forest heaths, sand and gravel embankments. It is the only Arctostaphylos species to occur outside of North America, ranging across northern Europe and Asia and it is found in the mountains of Guatemala.

Edible Parts

The bright red berries are edible and young leaves are often used as tea.

Other Name

Kinnikinnick.

Similar Plants

Lingonberries.

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