Bog Bilberry Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 1,611 found this helpful

Leaves have low nutritional value and are not recommended as livestock forage

Uncontaminated fruits are safe for human consumption in small quantities

Eating more than a handful of fungus-affected berries causes neurological adverse effects

FAQ

Is Bog Bilberry toxic to Humans?

Intoxication-like excitation, dizziness following consumption of more than a handful of fungal-contaminated fruits (Moderate)

Is Bog Bilberry toxic to Cats?

No confirmed toxicity data available (Non-toxic)

Is Bog Bilberry toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed toxicity data available (Non-toxic)

Is Bog Bilberry toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxicity data available (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Moderate

Intoxication-like excitation, dizziness following consumption of more than a handful of fungal-contaminated fruits

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity data available

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity data available

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity data available

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsLeaves (low nutritional value as forage), fungal-contaminated mature fruits

Exposure RouteOral ingestion of contaminated fruits or foliage

Toxic CompoundsSpecific toxic constituents not characterized; toxicity of spoiled fruits linked to fungal secondary metabolites

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth thoroughly after ingestion of suspect contaminated berries
• Induce vomiting only if explicitly directed by a poison control or medical professional
• Collect remaining plant material for formal identification if needed

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet or livestock consumes large quantities of bog bilberry foliage or moldy berries
• If your animal shows disorientation, unusual excitation, or dizziness after ingestion
• If you cannot confirm if consumed berries are free of fungal contamination

Prevention

• Do not harvest bog bilberries for consumption from areas with visible fungal growth on plants
• Avoid feeding bog bilberry foliage to companion animals or livestock as primary forage
• Train foragers to distinguish bog bilberry from toxic lookalike species growing in the same habitat

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care for symptom management as directed by a healthcare or veterinary provider
• Administer activated charcoal if recent large-scale ingestion of contaminated berries is confirmed
• Monitor neurological status for 24 hours post-ingestion of suspect contaminated plant material

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameVaccinium uliginosum aggr., Vaccinium uliginosum L., Vaccinium gaultherioides Bigelow, Vaccinium uliginosum subsp. microphyllum (Lange) Tolm.

AliasesBog blueberry、Northern bilberry、Western blueberry、Marsh bilberry、Small-leaved bog bilberry、False bilberry

Toxicity Grade

HumansModerate

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

Central nervous systemGastrointestinal tract

Mechanism of Action

• Toxicity of contaminated fruits is associated with secondary metabolites produced by pathogenic fungi growing on berry surfaces

• Low nutrient density of leaves leads to poor feed utilization and potential digestive upset in livestock if consumed in large quantities

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): Leaves are low-nutrition forage; no severe toxicity reported, but feeding large quantities is not recommended to avoid digestive upset

Wild herbivores: No known adverse effects from natural small-volume consumption of uncontaminated bog bilberry plant material

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Common Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus

Visually similar to bog bilberry; non-toxic with edible berries. Key difference: common bilberry grows in drier forest habitats and produces darker, sweeter berries

Other edible Vaccinium species Vaccinium spp.

Most other Vaccinium species (blueberries, cranberries) are non-toxic; bog bilberry is distinguished by its preferred boggy, saturated wetland habitat

Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia

Shares the same bog habitat as bog bilberry; highly toxic. Key difference: bog rosemary has narrow, evergreen, rosemary-like leaves, unlike bog bilberry's broader deciduous foliage

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Related Toxic Plants

Common Rhododendron

Rhododendron ponticum

Highly toxic to humans and all animal species

Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia

Severely toxic, may cause fatal poisoning if ingested

Bog Rosemary

Andromeda polifolia

Highly toxic, causes severe neurological and cardiac symptoms

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.