Whortleberry

Whortleberry, deciduous shrub, member of the heath family, native to northern Asia and Europe. Sometimes called bilberry or whinberry, whortleberry often covers large areas of mountains and forests. The shrub grows as high as 60 cm (2 ft), and its leaves may reach over 3 cm (1 in) in length. Whortleberry has small, pinkish flowers, and its edible berries are sweet and black. In the United States, the highbush, or swamp, blueberry and the mountain cranberry are sometimes called whortleberry.

Scientific classification: The whortleberry is a member of the family Ericaceae. It is classified as Vaccinium myrtillus. The highbush blueberry is classified as Vaccinium corymbosum, and the mountain cranberry is classified as Vaccinium vitis-idaea.