About Vaccinium floribundum Kunth
Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, commonly called mortiño or Andean blueberry, is a slender shrub that grows in the northern Andes of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It is found at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 3,800 metres, which equals 5,900 to 12,500 feet. The species can grow to a height of 2–3 metres (or 6 feet 7 inches to 9 feet 10 inches), or it may instead take the form of a dwarf, prostrate shrub. This plant produces edible fruit: a round, bluish black, glaucous berry. These berries are collected from the wild, eaten raw, and used to make preserves. They are sold in some local markets, and are a key ingredient in Colada Morada, a preparation for the celebration of Day of the Dead.
