Species library · Berries & fruit

Bog Bilberry: poisonous

Vaccinium uliginosum

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Bog Bilberry is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from July to September in the northern hemisphere. Found in Wetland, Heath & moor. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum)

Photo: (c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · iNaturalist

When Bog Bilberry appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Bog Bilberry is usually found in Wetland, Heath & moor.

Look up Bog Bilberry in the app

In the Forage app, Bog Bilberry has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Bog Bilberry: common questions

Is Bog Bilberry poisonous?

Yes. Bog Bilberry is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Bog Bilberry appear?

Bog Bilberry usually appears from July to September in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Bog Bilberry grow?

Bog Bilberry is usually found in Wetland, Heath & moor.

What can Bog Bilberry be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Rusty menziesia, Bilberry, Highbush blueberry. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits