Cranberry

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 15.04.2024

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Synonym(s)

Canadian cranberry; Cranberry; Vacccinium macrocarpon Aiton

Definition
This section has been translated automatically.

Vacccinium macrocarpon Aiton, also known as Cranberry or Kraanberry, grows as a berry bush up to 15 cm high with creeping shoots. The name Vaccinium is also used for blueberries (V. myrtillus), lingonberries (V. vitis-idea) and cranberries (V. uliginosum)

In contrast to the small-fruited cranberries (V. oxycoccos L.), which are native to Europe, and the pea-sized cranberry, the large-fruited cranberry (cranberry), with a fruit diameter of up to 2 cm, originates from North America.

The dried, ripe fruits (cranberry fruits - Vaccinii macrocarponii fructus, Macrocarponii fructus) are used phytotherapeutically.

General information
This section has been translated automatically.

Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton is an evergreen, small shrub (Chamaephyt) with low, creeping branches on the ground. The growth habit is low-lying and ascending. Older branches lie on the ground and take root, while the ends of the branches are upright and continue to grow indefinitely.
The leaves of the cranberry are evergreen and are between 1 and 2 cm long with an elongated, egg-shaped form. Its flowers are pinkish-white in colour with strongly folded petals. The fruits of the shrub are comparable in size and colour to smaller cherries.

Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton is the parent plant of Vaccinii macrocarpon fructus