BILBERRY, BLAEBERRY or WHORTLEBERRY, known botanically as Vaccinium Myrtillus (family Ericaceae), a low-growing shrub, found in woods, copses and on heaths, chiefly in hilly districts. The stiff stems, from 6in. to 2ft. long, bear small ovate leaves with a serrate margin, and small, globose, rosy flowers tinged with green. The berries are dark blue, with a waxy bloom, and about one-third of an inch in diameter ; they are used for tarts, preserves, etc. The plant is widely distributed through out the north temperate and extends into the arctic zone. Cow berry or whimberry is an allied species, V. Vitis-Idaea, growing in similar situations, but not found in south-eastern England, dis tinguished by its evergreen leaves and red acid edible berry. The plant, native also to northern continental Europe and Asia, is widely distributed in North America, ranging from Massachusetts and Maine to Labrador, especially in the mountains, and north westward to Alaska. In the eastern United States it is commonly called mountain cranberry. (See BLUEBERRY ; CRANBERRY ; VAC CINIUM.)