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I think the wild blueberries are actually bilberries, at least that was the case in Russia. Closely related and in the same genus, but they’re distinct species.
by throwup238 2y ago
I think the wild blueberries are actually bilberries, at least that was the case in Russia. Closely related and in the same genus, but they’re distinct species. Like the wild strawberries no one has figured out how to cultivate them so there are few commercial sources and supply is constrained.
Some of my favorite memories of preschool was gathering bilberries in the forest behind the school. It was essentially like Halloween with kids coming back sick from eating too much sugar.
- adrian_b 2y agoYou are right about the European bilberries being a distinct species. I have used both "strawberry" and "blueberry" as generic names. The European strawberry is also a distinct species, but belonging to the same genus with the American strawberries (Fragaria). The same for the European bilberry and the American blueberry that is the ancestor of the cultivated blueberries. They are different species of the same genus (Vaccinium).
- halper 2y agoThe wild/forest strawberries (Fragaria vesca) are very easy to grow. If I can do it, anyone can! The seeds are quite inexpensive and the plants yield generous amounts of berries the first season. There is also a white/yellow variety that is quite yummy.
- throwup238 2y agoAre you sure they’re not alpine strawberry varieties? Those look almost exactly alike and are successfully cultivated, but their flavor is closer to garden strawberries than woodland wild strawberries, which are spread via runners not seeds.
- halper 2y agoI am not an expert at greenery so I am not 100% sure, unfortunately. The ones I have sown are of different varieties; some have runners and some do not. I cannot recall that either variant was harder than the other to grow, and once established they are like weeds…