Tag: Bilberry vs huckleberry

European colonists once mistakenly identified North American berries as 'hurtleberries,' a nickname for European bilberries, sparking centuries of confusion over whether bilberry is the same as huckleberry. Though they share visual similarities and belong to the same plant family, Ericaceae, they are not the same species and possess distinct characteristics that foragers and gardeners should understand.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the bilberry plant is often confused with its close relatives, the blueberry and huckleberry, but they are not the same. Though both belong to the same plant family, Ericaceae, and even share the genus *Vaccinium*, their geographical distribution, growth patterns, and interior flesh distinguish them. Are huckleberries the same as bilberries? It's a common query with surprising answers for foragers and foodies alike.