Whortleberry is the local Somerset name for the wild bilberry that grows on Exmoor. This humble fruit goes by many different names, such as; bilberry, blueberry, heidelberry, huckleberry, hurtleberry & wimberry to mention but a few.
Whortleberry growing near Dunkery Gate
Locally they are known as 'Worts' or 'Urts'.
Whortleberries are one of the twelve main specis of vegetaion on Exmoor. It is a meber of the Ericaceae family. Whotleberry palnts prefer lean acid soil often growing in patches. They can be found colonising the dry stone walls of Fyldon Common. In April the flowering Whortleberry offers one of the earliest flowers for bees gathering nectar. The fruit season starts in July. The berries can taste very different depending on when and where they have been picked. Their falvour can be described variously as piquant, delicate, refreshing, tart, balnd and sweet. The juice is very prone to stain anything it comes into contact with and the Ancient Britains used it as a face dye. Picking the berries was once a nmajor industry for Exmoor. There were packing sheds in Porlock and up to a ton a day of berries was sent from Minehead Railway station to Manchester and Birmingham.
Another local name for them is 'hurts'
Whortleberries grow wild in northern Europe and are usually found found during the months of July and August. Whortleberries are now more difficult to find largely to the increase in fern & bracken. They like poor acid soil and inaccessible places. Whortleberry can be found on Porlock Hill, North Hill and Dunkery Beacon , Horner and at County Gate
sheep have a strong liking for this delicacy.
Whortleberryjam made on the Brendon Hills
The whortleberry [myrtillus vaccinium], acquired its name according to a Greek legend. Myrtillus, son of Hermes paid the penalty of double-dealing by being thrown into the sea. His body was washed ashore and Hermes changed it into a whortleberry bush in memory of the unlucky youth.
Some intering facts:
- Whortleberries are rich in vitamins C and D
- Used widely in Europe for the treatment of a variety of ocular disorders
- Believed by some European surgeons to enhance the healing of wounds after surgery
- Used by herbalists to treat & prevent bruising, varicose veins and a variety of vascular disorders
- In 1997, bilberry products were among the top 20 for herb sales in the US
- During World War II, the berries became popular among Royal Air Force pilots, who claimed eating Whortleberry jam prior to night bombing raids improved their vision
Whortleberries
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