Bearberry

Bearberry Facts

Bearberry is any of three species of dwarf shrubs in the genus Arctostaphylos, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, or Common Bearberry, Arctostaphylos alpina, or Alpine Bearberry, and Arctostaphylos rubra, or Red Bearberry. Bearberry is also known by many other common names, including Arberry, Bear Grape, Mealberry, Mountain Box, Mountain Cranberry, Mountain Tobacco, Sandberry, and Upland Cranberry. Red Bearberry is also called Hog Cranberry and Wild Cranberry. Alpine Bearberry is also known as Black Bearberry, and Mountain Bearberry.

Bearberry Plants

Bearberry Plants are widely found in northern temperate zones. Bearberry Plants are very winter hardy but take awhile to grow. Bearberry Plants spread by stem rooting. It is usually difficult to transplant Bearberry Plants.

Grow Bearberries

A bearberry needs well fertilized soil in order to thrive. It must be watered daily for about a year.

Bearberry Uses

The bearberry has many uses. Bearberries are used for many medical purposes. Some also make bearberry tea, which can also be used to treat sickness. Bearberry leaves were one of the main ingredients in a tobacco mixture smoked by some Native American tribes called kinnikinnick. Other ingredients might include non-poisonous sumac leaves, and the inner bark of bushes such as red osier dogwood, chokecherry, and alder.

Photo - Missouri Botanical Garden - St. Louis, Missouri