Vaccinium myrtillus
| Vaccinium myrtillus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-6.5 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Vaccinium myrtillus (common name: bilberry)
Propagation: Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[1]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[2]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[3]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[1]. Slow and difficult.
Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn.
Layering in late summer or early autumn[1]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[3]. Takes 18 months[1].
Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[2].
Cultivation: Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[4][3]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[5][3].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[3].Tolerates some shade, succeeding in light woodland. Very tolerant of wind and exposure[6]. Plants do not always do well in sheltered positions and they fruit better in an exposed position[7]. They can also form the ground layer in acid woods[6].
A freely suckering shrub when growing well[8]. Plants quickly regenerate from below ground level if they are burnt and also tolerate some grazing[6].
One report says the plant is self-sterile[9], another that it is self-fertile[5].
The fruits are relished by wildlife and the plants provide food for a number of insect species[6].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, Macedonia, the Caucasus and N. Asia
Habitat: Heaths, moors and woods on acid soils to 1250 metres[5][6].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[10]. Sweet and very tasty[11][9][12][13][14][15][16], they make an excellent preserve, their small seeds making them suitable for jam[17]. A slightly acid flavour when eaten raw[17]. The fruit can be dried and used like currants[18]. The fruit is up to 10mm in diameter[3].
A tea is made from the leaves[17][19][10].
Medicinal: The dried leaves of bilberries are used in the treatment of a variety of complaints[17]. These leaves should be harvested in early autumn, only green leaves being selected, and then dried in gentle heat[17]. The leaves should not be used medicinally for more than 3 weeks at a time[20].
A tea made from the dried leaves is strongly astringent, diuretic, tonic and an antiseptic for the urinary tract[17]. It is also a remedy for diabetes if taken for a prolonged period[17]. Another report says that the leaves can be helpful in pre-diabetic states but that they are not an alternative to conventional treatment[20]. The leaves contain glucoquinones, which reduce the levels of sugar in the blood[21].
A decoction of the leaves or bark is applied locally in the treatment of ulcers and in ulceration of the mouth and throat[17]. A distilled water made from the leaves is an excellent eyewash for soothing inflamed or sore eyes[13].
Whilst the fresh fruit has a slightly laxative effect upon the body, when dried it is astringent and is commonly used in the treatment of diarrhoea etc[17][13][20]. The dried fruit is also antibacterial and a decoction is useful for treating diarrhoea in children[20]. The skin of the fruits contains anthocyanin and is specific in the treatment of hemeralopia (day-blindness)[13]. The fruit is a rich source of anthocyanosides, which have been shown experimentally to dilate the blood vessels[21], this makes it a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, haemorrhoids and capillary fragility[20].
Usage: A green dye is obtained from the leaves and the fruit and is used to colour fabrics[13].
A blue or black dye is obtained from the fruit[22][23]. This can be used as an ink[24].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, lepidoptera, self
Notes: A bit to late to pick the fruit this year. We can get the dried fruit from Hambledon Herbs otherwise you can pick lots of it next summer from woodlands in the area - Golitha Falls on the edge of Bodmin Moor is a particularly good site and a beautiful plac
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Beckett, Kenneth and Gillian Beckett. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold, 1979.
- ↑ Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers, 1977.
- ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 17.8 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Loewenfeld, Claire and Philippa Back. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Carruthers, S. Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading, 1986.
- ↑ Freethy, Ron. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press, 1985.