# bearberry

*Arctostaphylos uva-ursi*

Both its scientific genus and species names translate literally to 'bear grape' (from Greek and Latin, respectively).

- **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.

## About

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 .

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/159e0c67-f73c-4566-a394-f04eaa0dc788
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/68049
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/249649192/medium.jpg (Douglas Goldman, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.