In the forests of Europe, there is a low growing shrub called bilberry and i call it 'the real blueberry'. Locally called 'czarna jagoda', the latin name of this species is Vaccinium myrtillus from the Ericaceae family. It grows in a heathlands and forest floors, mainly on acidic soils. It's low bushes produces solitary fruits.

As it grows in patches or fields, covering the forest floor as a green carpet, it's groupings looks fantastic - like the illustrations to some fairy tales!

For over 1000 of years, bilberry's leafs and fruits were used in a traditional medicine and still are to this day. Leafs are used in the form of tea and fruits mainly eaten raw to treat diarrhea, diabetes, scurvy, infections, also used in cardiovascular conditions, gastrointestinal tract disorders and as vision aids.

As for the fruits, they are full of nutritional goodies, packed with vitamins like C, A, B, PP and minerals like selenium, zinc, manganese and copper.
As billberry have much more flavour and colour than it's commonly cultivated north american relative, it's a rich ingredient for the culinary recipes. It is used to make 'pies, cakes, jams, muffins, cookies, sauces, syrups and juices'. So go for a walk into the forest and pick some!

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccinium_myrtillus
• http://www.poradnikzdrowie.pl/zywienie/co-jesz/jagody-wspomagaja-leczenie-wielu-chorob_33946.html (pl)

Recipes:

• http://www.campaignforrealfarming.org/2016/08/bilberry-recipes/
• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/3291385/Readers-recipes-bilberries.html
• https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/bilberry-recipe

Contest:

• https://steemit.com/worldwildflora/@worldwildflora/world-wild-flora-contest-week-no-4-the-winners#@artofwisdom/re-worldwildflora-re-artofwisdom-re-worldwildflora-world-wild-flora-contest-week-no-4-the-winners-20180701t083449445z

Photos taken with Sony SLT A-33.

If you like the content, upvote and resteem!
Till the next time!