390 EDIBLE WILD PLANTS 



good condition until next May. Very acid, but one of the 

 most digestible of our sour berries. 



Easily domesticated in fields or prepared bogs. Sometimes 

 very abundant in meadows and along stillwater brooks ; but 

 often found in dry fields and on sandy hills and flats. Gener- 

 ally distributed in Nova Scotia. 



Jf. Vaccinium Oxycoccus L. Small Cranberry, " Bog-berry." 



A creeping vine, 4 in. to 10 in. long, very slender, with thread- 

 like fruit stalks, Leaves ovate or egg-shaped, few and irregu- 

 larly disposed, ro in. long, with curved margins. Berries round, 

 1^0 in. thick, with a few small seeds, generally one berry on each 

 fruit stalk, which seldom stands erect, very sour, changes from 

 white wath greyish-brown spots to red when ripe, ripens late 

 like the large cranberry, but remains good until the next May. 

 Very palatable, but requires much sugar. 



Found on moderately wet open bogs, only on a certain green 

 or reddish-green moss, but never on dry soil or water-covered 

 meadows, as the large cranberry. Either too much or too little 

 moisture is fatal to its growth. Generally distributed, but 

 rarely ver}'^ plentiful. 



5. Vacciniam Vitls-Ida'a L. Foxberry, Mountain Cranberry, 

 " Cowberry," locally " Partridge-berry." 



Vine 6 in. to 10 in. long, tufted creeping stems, with erect ends 

 1 in. to 3 in. high. Leaves alternate and closely set on stems J in. 

 long, wide oval, not pointed, slightly notched at ends, dark green, 

 thick and hard w^ith turned-back edges, smooth and shining 

 above, light green, smooth, with very small black spots below. 

 Berries round, ^' thick, dark red, acid and very slightly bitter, 

 mealy, juicy after becoming ripe, seeds few and small. Berries in 

 bunches of from 2 to 5, very productive. Important as an 

 article of food, but requiring much .sugar. 



On bare headlands, barrens or other exposed situations, 

 usually near or on the sea coast, seldom found on wet soil or 



