bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Both its scientific genus and species names translate literally to 'bear grape' (from Greek and Latin, respectively).
- Scientific name
- Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Ericales › Ericaceae › Arctostaphylos
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- tundra
- Habitat
- Alpine tundra, rocky slopes, and dry, sandy pine forests.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
- Range
- North America, Europe, Northern Asia
- Size
- 15-30 cm tall, spreading up to 4 meters wide
- Lifespan
- 50+ years (clones can survive for centuries)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Climate change, habitat fragmentation, and heavy foot traffic trampling.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. You can closely observe this low-growing shrub. The berries are edible but dry and mealy when raw; they are best left for wildlife. Avoid trampling the delicate mats.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a plant species of the genus Arctostaphylos (manzanita). Its common names include kinnikinnick and pinemat manzanita , and it is one of several related species referred to as bearberry .
Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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