Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a plant species of the genus Arctostaphylos widely distributed across circumboreal regions of the subarctic Northern Hemisphere. Kinnikinnick (from the Unami language for smoking "mixture") is a common name in Canada and the United States. Growing up to in height, the leaves are evergreen. The flowers are white to pink and the fruit is a red berry.
One of several related species referred to as bearberry, its specific epithet uva-ursi means "grape of the bear" in Latin, similar to the meaning of the generic epithet Arctostaphylos (Greek for "bear grapes").
Description
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a small procumbent woody groundcover shrub growing to high.
Wild stands of the species can be dense, with heights rarely taller than . Erect branching twigs emerge from long flexible prostrate stems, which are produced by single roots. The trailing stems will layer, sending out small roots periodically. The finely textured velvety branches are initially white to pale green, becoming smooth and red-brown with maturity. They have rounded tips tapering back to the base, held vertically by a twisted leaf stalk in an alternate arrangement on the stem.
Subspecies
As many as 14 subspecies have been accepted, however as of 2024 they are considered synonyms by major sources such as Plants of the World Online and World Flora Online.
Etymology
The genus name of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi comes from the Greek words arctos (meaning bear) and staphyle (meaning "bunch of grapes") in reference to the fruits which form grape-like clusters.
The common name, kinnikinnick, is an Algonquin word meaning "smoking mixture".
Bears and other animals eat the berries.
Conservation
The plant is rare or endangered in several states of the Midwestern United States. Preliminary studies indicate that arbutin may be toxic when ingested in high doses. Uva ursi may cause adverse effects in people with liver or kidney disease, or pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Uses
Bearberry fruits and leaves are used by members of the Blackfeet Nation as food. While edible raw, the fruits are fairly bland that way, but can be used to make jelly. The young leaves can be made into tea. or cure for sexually transmitted diseases, as of 2017, there was no high-quality evidence from clinical research that such treatments are effective or safe. known collectively as "kinnikinnick" (Algonquin for "smoking mixture") used especially among western First Nations, often including other herbs and sometimes tobacco.
References
External links
- Medicinal Plants: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi