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Bilberry


Bilberries are any of several primarily Eurasian species of low-growing shrubs in the genus Vaccinium (family Ericaceae), bearing edible, nearly black berries. The species most often referred to is Vaccinium myrtillus L., but there are several other closely related species.

The name appears to have Scandinavian origin, possibly as early as 1577, with similarity to the Danish word "bølle" for whortleberry, then adding "berry". Bilberry (especially Vaccinium myrtillus) is also known in English by other names including blaeberry /ˈblbɛri/ in Scotland, whortleberry /ˈhwɜːrtəlbɛri/ in southern England, and other regional variations.

In other European languages, its name translates as "blueberry", possibly causing confusion with the related plants more usually known as blueberry of the same genus, Vaccinium. Bilberry is native to Europe including the British Isles, while the blueberry is native to North America.

Bilberries are distinct from blueberries, but closely related to them. Bilberries have a smooth, circular outline at the end opposite their point of attachment, whereas blueberries retain persistent sepals there, leaving a rough, star-shaped pattern of five flaps.


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