Crowberry plant (Empetrum nigrum)
The Crowberry plant is a creeping, matted, perennial evergreen shrub with short, light-green needlelike leaves. The leaves are deeply grooved beneath with the edges rolled under. The purplish crimson flowers are small and ordinary looking. It has small, shiny, black berries that remain on the bush throughout the winter.
Where to find the Crowberry plant in the wild
Look for the Crowberry plant in tundra throughout arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. The plant prefers acidic soils in shady, moist areas. They thrive in cold coniferous forests and acidic rocky slopes. Crowberry plants prefer areas with cool temperatures and acidic soil, and can be found growing in rocky areas, heathlands, tundras, and even in the Arctic and Alpine regions.
Edible parts of the Crowberry plant
The fruits are edible fresh or can be dried for later use. Crowberries contain mostly water, and their vitamin content is low. Almost all parts of the crowberry plant are edible, including:
- Berries: The berries of the crowberry plant are the most commonly consumed part. They can be eaten raw, but are also used in jams, jellies, and baked goods.
- Leaves: The leaves of the crowberry plant can be used to make tea.
- Stems: The stems are edible but are less commonly consumed. They can be cooked and eaten like asparagus.
- Roots: The roots of the crowberry plant can be boiled and eaten as a vegetable.
Other uses for the Crowberry plant in a survival situation
The high concentration of anthocyanin pigment makes the berry and ideal natural food dye.
Some areas of the world use the leaves and stems as a medicine for diarrhea and stomach problems and to treat eye conditions. They are boiled or soaked in hot water and then strained.
