Large Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon |
Other common names:
American Cranberry
Other scientific names:
Oxycoccus macrocarpus, Vaccinium oblongifolium, Vaccinium propinquum
Family:
Heath Family (Ericaceae)
Group:
Cranberries
Distinctive features:
Sub-Shrub; Tiny plants, with delicate stems and leaves, but huge berries, relative to their size. This species produces flowers and berries on stalks branching from the stems below the end. They are either solitary or in small clusters.
Similar species:
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Small Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)
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Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) - similar only in name.
Flowers:
Summer; Red/Pink; 4 parts (petals)
Leaves:
Alternate, Simple, Entire
Height:
Up to 15 cm (6 in); A very small, low-growing sub-shrub.
Habitat:
Wet Areas; Bogs.
Edible:
Berries are edible. Best if cooked.
Books:
Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 128
Shrubs of Ontario: 403
Native/Non-native:
Native
Status:
Common in bogs.
Notes:
Cranberries are actually tiny shrubs, although most people probably wouldn't think of them as such. They grow in bogs. The main way to tell Large Cranberry and Small Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) apart is by the size of the berries.
This species is the one that is grown commercially.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: macrocarpon: large-fruited
For more information visit:
Ontario Trees and Shrubs
Photographs:
119 photographs available, of which 3 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
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The berries are an enormous size relative to the size of the leaves and the plant itself! |
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Range map for Large Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.
(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website
and is displayed here in accordance with their
Policies)
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