Cranberry, American - Vaccinium macrocarpon

Cranberry, American - Vaccinium macrocarpon - family: Ericaceae (Heath Family).

This rhizome-based evergreen shrub grows to about one foot high. It has small leathery oval-shaped leaves and in the late spring and summer, it produces pinkish flowers, which are followed by tart edible fruits which ripen to a red color. Traditional American folk use of berries in jams, jellies and in pastries. Cranberry sauce is a traditional American Thanksgiving side dish consisting of fresh Cranberries stewed with water and sugar. Traditional American folk use of juice as a remedy for diarrhea. The juice of the cranberry and its extract are currently being used in North America as a remedy for urinary tract infections (UTI). Also, the juice of the cranberry and its extract are thought by some to help prevent the recurrence of kidney stones. Native to eastern and central North America. Naturalized in California. Cultivated as a food crop in North America. In the United States, cranberries are commercially cultivated in bogs located in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Wisconsin and other states.

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Web page last updated on 20 May 2003.