After reviewing the scientific names of cranberries, it only seems fitting that we go on to mention some of the other common names the cranberry goes by.
Our English word “cranberry” is the shortened version of “craneberry”. These tart red berries were so named because, along with cows, cranes also enjoy munching them. And it is convenient for them too since cranberries grow in the swampy bog areas where cranes like to make their homes. The name “craneberry” also refers to the flowers the plant produces, which hang over like a crane’s head.
Sometimes cranberries are referred to as “bearberries” because…You guessed it!! Bears like to eat them. However, as I was doing my research, I discovered that the true bearberry is actually not a cranberry. Bearberry is a type of dwarf shrub that produces dark purple to black to red berries, depending on the species. In fact, it turns out that one of bearberry’s other names is MOUNTAIN CRANBERRY!!! So I suppose they are sort of related, even if not in a technical, scientifi
c way.
Cranberries are also sometimes called “bounceberries”. Why? Have you ever dropped a cranberry? They really do bounce! If you have never done it, you really should try it! Go ahead, drop that cranberry! :)
Sometimes you’ll also hear cranberries referred to as American cranberry, or bog cranberry. These are just some of the names I came up with in my research, although I’m sure there are lots more. And it probably depends on what part of the country you live in as well.
Our English word “cranberry” is the shortened version of “craneberry”. These tart red berries were so named because, along with cows, cranes also enjoy munching them. And it is convenient for them too since cranberries grow in the swampy bog areas where cranes like to make their homes. The name “craneberry” also refers to the flowers the plant produces, which hang over like a crane’s head.
Sometimes cranberries are referred to as “bearberries” because…You guessed it!! Bears like to eat them. However, as I was doing my research, I discovered that the true bearberry is actually not a cranberry. Bearberry is a type of dwarf shrub that produces dark purple to black to red berries, depending on the species. In fact, it turns out that one of bearberry’s other names is MOUNTAIN CRANBERRY!!! So I suppose they are sort of related, even if not in a technical, scientifi
c way.Cranberries are also sometimes called “bounceberries”. Why? Have you ever dropped a cranberry? They really do bounce! If you have never done it, you really should try it! Go ahead, drop that cranberry! :)
Sometimes you’ll also hear cranberries referred to as American cranberry, or bog cranberry. These are just some of the names I came up with in my research, although I’m sure there are lots more. And it probably depends on what part of the country you live in as well.
1 comment:
That sounds like what i just saw last night on unwrapped!!
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