Skye Flora

Alpine Bearberry


Arctostaphylos alpinus

 

Arctostaphylos alpinus

Photo © John Birks
Dept of Biology, Univ. of Bergen
(Jul 1965 Abisko, Sweden)

Very rare.  Recorded in 1772 and not refound until 1990. High altitude moorland.

Flower c 3-5 mm long.  Fruit c 6-10 mm diameter.

Skye ID: Flowers white, shaped as shown.  Leaves clearly toothed, edges not downturned.

Other features: Leaves turn red in autumn and stay on plant till spring, then fall.  Berries black when ripe.

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Arctostaphylos alpinus

Photo © John Birks
Dept of Biology, Univ. of Bergen
(Jun 1969 Scotland)

  Arctostaphylos alpinus

Photo © John Birks
Dept of Biology, Univ. of Bergen
(Aug 1987 Vikafjell, Norway)


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