Bearberry

Bearberry / Kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Heath family

Bearberry is a trailing, evergreen shrub that grows low to the ground. The tiny pinkish to white flowers are shaped like vases. They occur in small clusters that droop off branch tips.

The fruit develops at the end of summer. Flowers produce dull red, shiny berries that are edible, but rather tasteless. The young leaves are often used as tea.

The common name, Kinnikinnick is said to come from the Alonquin meaning “smoking mixture,” as some Indigenous people used the leaves of the plant as a tobacco.

Bearberry, Lotus Pinnatus Park, April 30, 2021