About Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb.
Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. is a species that grows as a small tree or large shrub, and produces dark purple edible fruit. It is native to Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, Korea, southeast and south-central China, Hainan, Taiwan, mainland Southeast Asia, Java, and Sumatra. It is under semi-cultivation in China. Local people collect and consume its fruit. In addition, a bluish-violet dye can be extracted from its leaves. This dye is used as a hair dye, for coloring vinegar, and in cooking. When the dye is cooked with rice, it turns black, which gives it unique culinary appeal.
