Bilberry, Plants and Trees Rowen, Conwy County - Wales where to go, what to see and where to stay in Wales

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a plant characteristic of the heaths in the Welsh Uplands. The picture depicts bilberries on the uplands of Conwy County, on the lower slopes of Tal y Fan. Bilberries are found in very acidic, nutrient-poor soils. Throughout the UK the plant is known by a wide range of local names. These include blaeberry, whortleberry, whinberry, winberry, wimberry, myrtle blueberry. In Wales they are also known as Llus or Llusen. Bilberries are softer and juicier than blueberries but are extremely difficult to grow and are thus seldom cultivated. Fruits are mostly collected from wild plants growing on publicly accessible lands and are a treat for walkers walking the Welsh hills. Bilberries usually appear near black with a slight shade of purple. The fruit pulp is red or purple.