Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.

Shrubs, prostrate, mat-forming, 0.1-0.5 m; burl sometimes present, sometimes epicormic; twigs usually sparsely short-hairy, sometimes long-hairy or short and/or long glandular-hairy. Leaves separated proximally, overlapping distally, bifacial; petiole 2-4 mm; blade light green abaxially, dark green adaxially, shiny, usually oblanceolate to obovate, sometimes narrowly elliptic, 1-2.5 × 0.5-1.5 cm, base cuneate (not clasping), margins entire, often cupped, surfaces smooth, sparsely puberulent, glabrescent . Inflorescences racemes (simple or 1-branched); immature inflorescence pendent, (congested), axis 0.3-1 cm, 1+ mm diam., usually sparsely short-hairy, sometimes long-hairy or short glandular-hairy; bracts not appressed, scalelike, narrowly deltate, 2-6 mm (larger than buds), apex acuminate, surfaces glabrous. Pedicels 2-4 mm, glabrous. Flowers: corolla white to pink, urceolate; ovary glabrous. Fruits globose, 6-12 mm diam., glabrous. Stones distinct. 2n = 26, 52.

Coastal dunes, open, acidic temperate and boreal forests, high montane on acidic, sandy, or rocky soils; at elevations up to 3,100 metres. Dry open woods, often on gravelly or sandy soils. It is found on limestone in the European Alps.

The dried fruit are used for tea. The fruit can also be cooked and eaten. They are used for preserves or made into jelly, marmalade, sauces and pastes. The ripe fruit can be soaked in water or butter to reduce the dryness. The dried leaves are used for tea. Caution: Too many fruit can cause stomach problems and should not be eaten by pregnant women.

Plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. It needs an acid soil of pH 5.