Empetrum nigrum aka Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum, also known as crowberry, black crowberry, or blackberry in western Alaska, is a flowering plant species in the heather family Ericaceae. It has a near circumboreal distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and is native to the Falkland Islands as well. This dwarf, evergreen shrub grows up to about 15cm in height and has trailing stems with tiny needle-like leaves. In late spring or early summer, inconspicuous pinkish or purplish flowers appear, which are followed by small, edible black berries in autumn. These berries, measuring about 5mm across, can remain on the plant throughout winter if not consumed. In subarctic regions, Empetrum nigrum has been an important part of the diet for indigenous communities like the Inuit and the Sami. The Dena'ina (Tanaina) people harvest it for food and often store it in large quantities for winter, sometimes mixing it with lard or oil. While the fruits are typically collected in the fall, they can persist on the plant and be gathered in the spring if left unpicked.