Species › Plants › American Cranberry

American Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

CommonPlant
Illustration of American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)

American Cranberry is a trailing vine native to cold, acidic bogs across northern North America and the parent of the commercially cultivated cranberry. The bright red berries remain on the plant through winter and provide important food for many wintering birds. It produces pink flowers in summer that require buzz pollination by bumblebees.

Habitat
Sphagnum bogs and wet acidic soils of the northeastern and Great Lakes region
Diet
Berries eaten by grouse, robins, and wintering waterfowl; buzz-pollinated by bumblebees
How common
Common

Best time to see a American Cranberry

The best time to see a American Cranberry is June–September, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 5,589 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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