Crowberry is a group of four species of dwarf evergreen shrubs in genus Empetrum, in the family Ericaceae. They are commonly found in the northern hemisphere, from temperate to subarctic climates, and also in the Andes of South America, growing on moorlands, tundra, muskeg and also in spruce forests.
Crowberries are evergreen mat forming shrubs, bearing small, light green, needle-like leaves 3-10 mm long. The flowers are small and ordinary, follow by dry black berries. The berry is smaller than bearberry and looks similar to a blueberry.
Fresh crowberries are mealy and tasteless, and usually mix with other berries, especially the blueberries. Cooking enhances the flavor and they are good for making pies and jelly. Crowberry's vitamin content is low, and so is the concentration of its volatile liquids, making them almost odorless. The berries contain high concentration of anthocyanin pigment which can be used as a natural food dye.
Crowberries http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crowberry_%28Empetrum_nigrum%29_-_geograph.org.uk_-_218017.jpg Dave Dunford
Crowberries http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Empetrum_nigrum_Denali_AK.jpg Dawn Endico
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crowberry_%28Empetrum_nigrum%29_-_geograph.org.uk_-_218017.jpg
Dave Dunford
