Crowberry is an evergreen dwarf shrub that forms low and thick stands. It has needle-like leaves that tolerate dry conditions well and small, light red flowers. The species blooms from April to June. The plants berry is a juicy, shiny black stone fruit. The annual berry crop is large and the best time to collect them is from August to September.
Crowberry thrives in xeric and sub-xeric heath forests, pine bogs, rock outcrops and mountain heaths of the fell areas. Its area of distribution covers the whole Northern Hemisphere.
Its mild flavoured berries are suitable for making juice and jam. The berries contain a lot of fibre, vitamins and compounds beneficial to health like anthocyanins. They have been used as medicinal herbs to treat fever and headache. The stems of the crowberry have been used to make brooms and brushes. Bears and fowls feed on crowberries.
Since crowberry is a common species throughout its distribution, it requires no conservation measures to secure its occurrence.
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