Bog cranberry

Red cranberries glisten in autumn on the mossy bogs that cover a sizeable part of the country.

The bog cranberry is a creeping, evergreen dwarf shrub with thread-like stems winding among sphagnum mosses and tiny, leathery leaves. In summer it bears pink flowers with petals bent backwards, resembling a crane’s head, and in autumn sour red berries. It grows only on acidic, wet raised and transitional bogs. The berries contain natural preservatives and plenty of vitamin C, so they keep for a long time – they are picked in autumn and in early spring from under the snow.

Significance in the country

Bogs are among Estonia’s most characteristic landscapes, and cranberry picking is a tradition in many families. Estonians make them into kissel, juices, semolina desserts and accompaniments for meat.

Where it grows

On raised bogs throughout the country; among the most extensive are those of Soomaa National Park (Pärnumaa and Viljandimaa), the Endla reserve, Alutaguse and Lahemaa National Park.

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