Species › Plants › Lingonberry

Lingonberry

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

CommonPlant
Illustration of Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)

Lingonberry is a low, mat-forming evergreen shrub of boreal and Arctic habitats, producing tart red berries that are prized for jams and sauces across Scandinavia and northern Canada. It is one of the most important fall and winter foods for ptarmigan, grouse, and many other tundra and boreal birds, providing energy-dense fruits when little else is available.

Habitat
Boreal forests, tundra, and rocky alpine habitats across northern North America
Diet
Berries critical for ptarmigan and grouse; also eaten by foxes and bears
How common
Common

Best time to see a Lingonberry

The best time to see a Lingonberry is June–August, when about 69% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,072 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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