Bearberry.

Bearberry. The RED BEARBERRY (Arctostaphylos uva ursi) is a small trailing evergreen shrub, common in the Highlands of Scotland and in the Hebrides, and ranging over the northern parts of Europe, Siberia, and North America. It grows in dry, heathy, and rocky places. The flowers are in small crowded terminal racemes, of a beautiful rose colour. The berries are austere and mealy; they are said to be largely eaten by bears in northern regions. Grouse also feed on them. The dried leaves are used as an astringent and tonic medicine, especially in chronic affections of the bladder; but those of the Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis idaea) are substituted for them.—The BLACK BEARBERRY (A. alpina), of similar distribution, is a small trailing shrub, with black berries about the size of a sloe, which are relished by some.