bearberries
Red tundra fruit
Bearberries are low-growing evergreen shrubs of the genus *Arctostaphylos*, producing small red berries.
The plants thrive in cold, rocky environments across the Northern Hemisphere.
The berries are edible but mealy and bland—more appealing to bears and birds than humans.
The leaves have traditional medicinal uses, particularly for urinary tract conditions.
Small woody plant
- evergreenRetains foliage year-round
- groundcoverLow plants blanketing soil
- heathOpen land with shrubs
- alpineOf high elevations
leathery · foliage · perennial · dwarf · rhizome · acidic · low-growing · trailing
Frigid treeless biome
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- polarOf extreme latitudes
- borealOf northern regions
- InuitArctic indigenous people
Sami · reindeer · circumpolar · subarctic · taiga · cold-hardy · northern · alpine
shrub
Small woody plant
- evergreenRetains foliage year-round
- groundcoverLow plants blanketing soil
- heathOpen land with shrubs
alpine · leathery · foliage · perennial · dwarf · rhizome · acidic · low-growing · trailing · ornamental
tundra
Frigid treeless biome
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- polarOf extreme latitudes
- borealOf northern regions
Inuit · Sami · reindeer · circumpolar · subarctic · taiga · cold-hardy · northern · alpine · harsh
astringent
Tissue-contracting agent
mealy · bland · dry · unpalatable · raw · acidic · sharp · bracing · unsweetened
cranberry
Acidic red bog fruit
- lingonberryTart red Arctic berry
- blueberrySmall edible Vaccinium fruit
- edibleSafe to consume
forage · harvest · mealy · ripe · seed · skin · antioxidant · red · cluster · drupes