Black crowberry is native to northern portions of the northern hemisphere, and to the Falkland
Islands. Grouse, ptarmigan and red-backed voles favor the high energy berries, along with reindeer, caribou,
and bears.
Identification: Black crowberry is a ground-hugging, dense, somewhat
mosslike plant rarely
more than 6″ (15 cm) in height. It favors acid soils such as those in open pine forests. Needlelike leaves,
each ⅛-¼″ (3-8 mm) long, appear on long shoots. In cross section, needles are deeply grooved, with
their edges rolled under. Flowers are inconspicuous, purplish brown, with one or both sexes appearing
on a given plant. Fruits are juicy black berries ⅛-3/16″ (4-6 mm) around, each containing 6-9 white seeds.
Edibility: Although technically edible to humans,
black crowberries are not very digestible, watery, and lacking in taste. They are sometimes used, in conjunction with other
berries, in pies and jellies.