What does Vaccinium myrtillus mean?

Vaccinium myrtillus L. is a deciduous small shrublet growing on  hilly heaths and underbrush mainly throughout central and northern Europe ^(1-5). The origin of the name “Vaccinium” is uncertain:  it could derive from the Latin words “vacca” = cow or “bacca” = berry.  The name “myrtillus”, instead, derives from the likeness of fruits and leaves to those of the myrtle ^(3,4,6).  In the past, the fruits of V. myrtillus have been used as a food for their high nutritive value, while today represent a precious wild delicacy.

Picture taken by Mario De Biasi - © 2006 Indena S.p.A.

The genus Vaccinium includes, worldwide, 450 species ⁽⁷⁾.
Mirtoselect^® is obtained exclusively from Vaccinium myrtillus L. fresh fruits that are harvested when ripe, between July and September.

Picture taken by Mario De Biasi - © 2006 Indena S.p.A.

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1. Tutin T.G., Heywood V.H., Burges N.A., Moore D.M., Valentine D.H, Walters S.M., Webb D.A. (Eds.), "Flora Europaea", Vol. 3, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1972, pp 12-13.
2. J. Hutchinson, "British Wild Flowers", Vol. 1, David and Charles, Newton Abbot, 1972, p 226.
3. Benigni R., Capra C., Cattorini P.E., "Piante Medicinali – Chimica, farmacologia e terapia", Vol. II, Inverni della Beffa, Milano, 1962, pp 951-958.
4. Hegi G., "Illustrierte Flora von Mittel Europa", Band 5/3 Teil, C. Hanser Verlag, Munchen, 1927 (Reprint 1966), pp 1667-1681.
5. Upton R., “American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium – Bilberry Fruit”, 2001.
6. Grieve M., “A Modern Herbal”, Vol.I, Hafner Publishing Co., New York and London, 1967, pp 99-100.
7. “The Plant-Book”, D.J. Mabberly, II ed., Cambridge University Press, 1997        

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