Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.

A densely branched shrub. It loses its leaves. It can grow 3 m high and spreads 1.8 m wide. It is often a smaller bush. The young shoots are reddish brown. The leaves are sword shaped and large and green. They are 10 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. There are fine teeth along the edge. The leaves turn brilliant purple and red in autumn. These remain on the bush for several weeks. The flowers are in groups 3-5 cm long. They grow in axils on the previous year's growth. The flowers are bell shaped and are white with pink or purple tinges. The fruit are purple-black berries. They are round, shiny and 1 cm across.

Mountain slopes, fir/spruce or fir/beech woods, rhododendron thickets, occasionally in oak forests and near the timber line in stands of birch and occasionally of pine.

The fruit are eaten. The leaves are used as a substitute for tea.

Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings.