Side by side
Bearberry or cowberry? How to tell them apart
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi · Vaccinium vitis-idaea
How to tell them apart – bearberry: creeps over the ground, with net-veined leaves without gland dots and mealy, bland red berries; cowberry: upright stems, leaves with a rolled edge and dark gland dots underneath, and juicy, sour berries.
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How do you recognise them?
- Bearberry
- Creeping, evergreen dwarf shrub with glossy, spoon-shaped leaves, white little urns and red berries.
- Compared with cowberry: creeps over the ground, with net-veined leaves without gland dots and mealy, bland red berries.
- Cowberry
- Evergreen dwarf shrub with small, glossy, leathery leaves, white bells and clusters of red berries.
- Compared with bearberry: upright stems, leaves with a rolled edge and dark gland dots underneath, and juicy, sour berries.
| Bearberry | Cowberry | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, obovate to spoon-shaped, 1–3 cm, leathery, glossy, untoothed and net-veined on both sides; without gland dots. | Alternate, oval, 1–3 cm, leathery, glossy dark green with a slightly rolled edge; paler underneath, with dark gland dots. |
| Flowering | White to pink, urn-shaped bells (5–6 mm) in short, nodding clusters, April–June (April–May). | White to pink bells (5–8 mm) in short, nodding clusters at the tips, May–June (May–June). |
| Fruit | Red, mealy berries (6–10 mm), August–October; edible but bland and dry. | Glossy red, sour berries (5–10 mm) in clusters, August–October. |
| Bark | Trailing, rooting stems with reddish-brown, peeling bark. | Thin, upright stems growing from creeping underground runners. |
| Shape and height | Dwarf shrub, 5–15 cm, mats up to 2 m wide | Dwarf shrub, 10–30 cm |
| Site | Full sun, acid soil, dry | Sun or partial shade, acid soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | Yes, long naturalised | Yes |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | March–April | March–April |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Both are native and good for wildlife: choose what suits your soil, your light and the space you have.
Read on
- Plant profile: Bearberry
- Plant profile: Cowberry
- Bearberry: when and how to prune
- Cowberry: when and how to prune
- Identification key
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Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.