The Vereskov family is rich in "tasty" representatives, among which two species - lingonberries and cranberries - occupy a special place in the hearts of our citizens. Outwardly, the berries are very similar: dwarf shrubs with evergreen oval leaves and a scattering of red fruits rich in vitamins and minerals. For forest beginners, distinguishing one beauty from another is not an easy task. I'll tell you more about the most striking differences in appearance and properties.
I'll start with cranberries. Outwardly, the plant resembles a prickly carpet, since with growth the berry seems to spread along the ground. Lateral shoots reach 30 cm in length, the leaves are rounded, smooth, rich green, the inflorescences have a pink tint during the opening period. The berries are small, up to 15 mm in diameter, bright red, juicy.
Cowberry also spreads with growth, but its shoots rise above the ground to a small height (up to 20 cm). The leaves are elongated in length, dark on top and light on the back, shiny and smooth. The flowers are milky and pale pink, the fruits resemble beads, scarlet, with a large number of seeds in each berry. The taste is sweet and sour.
Main differences
Cowberry grows on gentle glades of coniferous forest. The berries are small, about half a centimeter in diameter, scarlet. The density of the pulp is large, the taste is sweet. The elongated leaves reach a length of 3 cm, the shade of the outer side is darker than the back. The ripening of the first harvest of berries occurs in August. As a rule, lingonberries begin to be harvested before mushrooms appear abundantly, it is from it that the autumn “silent hunt” starts.
Cranberry is an inhabitant of peat bogs and swampy places. Fruits reach 1 cm in diameter, quite large. The dark red shade of the berries makes them stand out against the background of the rich green color of the rounded leaves. As a rule, cranberries do not hide much in the grass, but they will have to bend over for them, the shrub practically does not rise from the ground. The pulp of the berries is juicy, watery, with a bright sour taste. The term for the abundant appearance of fruits falls on the beginning of autumn.
Similar Features
But, of course, berries, despite their differences, have many similar qualities:
- relation to one plant family;
- often in the conditions of the forest these beauties can be found next to each other;
- miniature size of shoots;
- both crops are perennial and evergreen;
- size, shape and color of berries;
- popular as ingredients in autumn and warming drinks;
- rich in nutrients, beneficial vitamins and minerals;
- are actively used by zealous housewives for cooking hot dishes, preserves and jams.
How to distinguish one from the other?
Experienced mushroom pickers and berry pickers can usually easily distinguish between cranberries and lingonberries, but for a beginner this can be a difficult task. In order to avoid mistakes, you should familiarize yourself with a number of distinctive external features that define each forest culture.
The main difference between the berries is the shape of the leaves - cranberries are round, lingonberries are oval and longer, as well as the location of the berries on shoots - lingonberries are usually located in small clusters, while cranberries are scattered in single beads throughout the bush. The taste is brightly different - the first one is sweetish after ripening, the second one is sour and slightly bitter in the aftertaste.
Lingonberry berries are large, with thin skin, reminiscent of balls filled with juice. Cranberry fruits are dense, strong and small. The color of the first is bright scarlet, transparent, the second is clearly darker, they do not shine through the light.
In conclusion, I will say that the berries only in the first moments of the collection will seem indistinguishable, usually the eye quickly gets used to the differences and is no longer mistaken.
Do you pick berries in autumn?
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