ABSTRACT
THE bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is a low-growing shrub native to northern Europe, Asia and North America. Bilberry fruit and leaves are used for a variety of medical conditions, and the small dark blue fruit is eaten fresh or made into juice and preserves. Although bilberries are often called blueberries because of their color, the "true" blueberry is a native American fruit. Three species are grown commercially: the wild or lowbush blueberry (V. angustifolium Ait.), the highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum L.) and the rabbiteye blueberry (V. ashei Reade), so-named because it resembles a wild rabbit's eye (Austin, 1994). American blueberries have traditionally been used as food, but there is considerable interest in the health benefits of these berries.
1.2. SYSTEMATICS AND DISTRIBUTION
