Mission Accomplished

The black specks make me think that it’s mountain cranberry, but that’s a problematic identification. Mountain cranberry is rare in Massachusetts and its status is listed as “Endangered.” According to the state’s Fisheries & Wildlife page for mountain cranberry, “only one occurrence of this species has been documented recently, on Mt. Greylock; historically, two occurrences were reported, but are still unverified.” Mt. Greylock is a long way from here. I’d like to think that I’ve discovered a rare plant in an unexpected place, so I might contact the state to report it. We’ll see.

For now, since I specifically looked for the black specks on the plant and found them, I’m calling it mountain cranberry (or, as my inner Swede prefers to call it, lingonberry). Maybe if I’m feeling courageous next year I’ll try tasting a few of the berries. Bearberries and lingonberries are said to taste quite different. One is bland and the other tart. My palate is not exactly sophisticated, but I should be able to tell the difference between bland and tart.

Before then, I have a new mission to undertake. When I was pregnant with Marshall, my hubby and I hiked up another local hill. There I found a plant that, at the time, I thought could be bearberry. Having a baby was a huge distraction from my ramblings, though, and I never got back up there again. I really should go see now, shouldn’t I? Because whether it’s bearberry or mountain cranberry or something else, it’s bound to be interesting. Even if it’s not there anymore (ten years have passed, after all), I’m sure I’ll find something else worth looking at. I always do!