Bearberry is a prostrate, mat-forming evergreen shrub found across boreal and alpine zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Its bright red berries persist through winter and are a critical food for bears, ptarmigan, and grouse. The leathery leaves turn bronze-red in autumn, and the plant was widely used medicinally by indigenous peoples.
Best time to see a Bearberry
The best time to see a Bearberry is April–August, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 18,010 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Bearberry? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Bearberry sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Bearberry?
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