Bilberry - Vaccinium myrtillus L.
The bilberry is a low, densely ramified bush with egg-shaped deciduous leaves, round rosily flowers and black-blue fruits (berries). It grows widely in the submontane to alpine level sour rock beds in forests, mountain pines, on grassless mountains, heathlands and peateries. It blossoms from May to ]une, the fruits ripen according to the height above sea level, from ]uly to September. For healing effects the leaves containing tanning substances and glucokinins, are gathered. They reduce the sugar level in the blood. The fruits - bilberries belong to the healthiest kinds of fruits with the wide use possibilities. They contain colouring substances - antokyans, C vitamin, B complex and A provitamin. The vegetation is excessively destroyed by thoughtless gathering with combs.

Dr. Mária Vozárová