ABSTRACT
The American cranberry bush grows wild in all provinces of Canada and in all northern states bordering Canada, but is most common in eastern North America. In the United States, American cranberry bush has been ranked as endangered in Indiana and Ohio, and rare in Pennsylvania. American cranberry bush is adapted to the relatively fertile soils of southern Canada and the northern United States where it is native. The European cranberry bush is similar in appearance to the North American species. It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental in North America, known as the snowball, snowball bush, or snowball tree. The fruit is often gathered from wild stands in late August or early September for use in sauces, jellies, and juices. As with several other wild berry crops that are indigenous to North America, current interest in the health-promoting content of flavonoids and other natural beneficial compounds may serve to stimulate commercial development.
