Fauna
Plant

Bog Blueberry

Vaccinium uliginosum

Also known as Bog Bilberry, Northern Bilberry, Alpine Blueberry, Whortleberry

Bog blueberries are low-growing deciduous shrubs that thrive in acidic, waterlogged soils across arctic and alpine tundras. Their glaucous, bluish-green leaves fade to vibrant shades of red and gold each autumn, while small bell-shaped pinkish flowers bloom in early summer. The dark blue, frosted berries serve as a crucial autumn food source for northern wildlife ranging from brown bears to migrating birds.

BorealDeciduous ShrubBerries
Bog Blueberry reference
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Brown Bears
  • Ptarmigans
  • Voles
ThreatsClimate warming, peatland degradation
HabitatsAcidic bogs, tundra, wet heathlands, alpine meadows
Life span20–50+ years
Classification
  1. OrderEricales
  2. FamilyEricaceae
  3. GenusVaccinium
  4. SpeciesVaccinium uliginosum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild plants based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Habitat respect: Avoid trampling fragile sphagnum mosses and alpine tundra vegetation while observing.
  • Identification feature: Look for rounded untoothed leaves with pale undersides and brownish woody stems.
  • Seasonal timing: Visit in mid to late summer to observe the blue berries and turning foliage.
Related species
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