Mortiño (Vaccinium mortinia)

Family: Ericaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Vaccinium mortinia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pleasantly flavoured. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; Some forms are juicy, sub-acid and pleasantly flavoured.; The fruit is rather small, about 5mm in diameter.

Habitat & North American Range

Found at elevations from 2800 to 4000 metres in the Andes. (Zone 8)