Plants
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Bilberry
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Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Bilberry is a well-known and common plant of blanket bogs and
heaths, which bears edible black fruits in late summer. It grows
as a low shrub on the less waterlogged hummocks. From April
to June it produces small pink flowers, which are the shape
of rounded bells. The leaves are green on both sides with softly
serrated edges. The berries provide a useful food source for
resident and visiting animals and birds may also be gathered
and eaten by humans. Bilberry is widespread throughout Northern
Ireland.
Click here to view a distribution map of the Bilberry in
Northern Ireland.
