bearberry

The English name of the Arctostaphylos, a genus of plants belonging to the order Ericaceæ (Heath worts). species occur in Britain, Arctostaphylos Uva ursi and A. alpina. They are sometimes ranked under the genus Arbutus. The flowers are rose-coloured, the berry of the Uva ursi is red, whilst that of the other is black. They afford food for moor-fowl. The former is used in nephritic and calculous cases, and sometimes even in pulmonary diseases; it moreover dyes an ash colour, and can be used in tanning leather. It is found on the Continent, especially in alpine regions, while its chosen habitat in the British Isles is in the Scottish Highlands. IMG:content-1161.png:[blocks in formation] The former has large showy flowers, pure white, or sometimes rose-coloured or striped with pink; it is found in moist woods and hedges. The latter, which has large rose coloured flowers, is usually found on sandy sea-shores.