Vaccinium oxycoccus
Vaccinium oxycoccus (pronunciation: vax-IN-ee-um oxy-CO-cus), commonly known as the Cranberry, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae.
Etymology
The genus name Vaccinium is derived from the Latin word vaccinus, meaning "of or from cows". The species name oxycoccus is derived from the Greek words oxy, meaning "sharp", and coccus, meaning "berry". This refers to the tart taste of the cranberries produced by this plant.
Description
Vaccinium oxycoccus is a small, evergreen shrub that grows in acidic bogs throughout the cooler regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It produces small, pink flowers in the spring, followed by bright red berries in the fall. The berries are edible and are commonly used in cooking and baking.
Related Terms
- Ericaceae: The plant family to which Vaccinium oxycoccus belongs.
- Bog: A type of wetland where Vaccinium oxycoccus is commonly found.
- Berry: A type of fruit produced by plants in the Vaccinium genus.
- Cranberry: A common name for Vaccinium oxycoccus and other species in the Vaccinium genus.
Uses
The berries of Vaccinium oxycoccus are harvested commercially and used in a variety of food products, including cranberry juice, cranberry sauce, and dried cranberries. They are also used in traditional medicine for the treatment of urinary tract infections.
See Also
- Vaccinium macrocarpon: A closely related species also known as the cranberry.
- Vaccinium: The genus to which Vaccinium oxycoccus belongs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vaccinium oxycoccus
- Wikipedia's article - Vaccinium oxycoccus
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