Authors: L.  

Botanical Description

much branched, rhizomatous shrub 15-30cm tall. Stems green and angled. Leaves ovate, acute, l-3cm long, serrulate, usually bright green. Flowers solitary or in pairs from the leaf axils, globose urn-shaped, 4-6mm long, greenish-white flushed pink, late spring to early summer. Fruits globular, 6-10mm in diameter, black with a waxy blue-white patina, sweet and of good flavour. Europe to the Caucasus and northern Asia, as a constituent of moors, heaths and open woods, often very dwarf at high altitudes. Often does not thrive in the warmer lowland areas. Best known as a fruiting plant but rarely cultivated.