Vaccinium bracteatum, the sea bilberry or Asiatic bilberry, is a species of Vaccinium native to Asia.
Description It is a small tree or large shrub, with dark purple edible fruit.
Varieties The following varieties are currently accepted:
Vaccinium bracteatum var. chinense (Champ. ex Benth.) Chun ex Sleumer Vaccinium bracteatum var. obovatum C.Y.Wu & R.C.Fang Vaccinium bracteatum var. rubellum P.S.Hsu, J.X.Qiu, S.F.Huang & Y.Zhang Vaccinium bracteatum var. thysanocalyx (Dop) Smitinand & P.H.Hô
Distribution and habitat It is native to Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, Korea, southeast and south-central China, Hainan, Taiwan, mainland Southeast Asia, Java, and Sumatra.
Uses It is in semi-cultivation in China. Local people collect and consume the fruit. Additionally, a bluish-violet dye is extracted from the leaves, being used as a hair dye, for coloring vinegar, and in cooking. The dye turns black when cooked with rice, providing culinary interest.
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