DCHP-2

partridgeberry partridge berry, cowberry, lingonberry DCHP-2 (October 2016)

• 1a n. — Newfoundland, Flora

  a short evergreen shrub; known as lingonberry in Europe; Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus (see Image 1).

  Type: 5. Frequency — Three common North American evergreen plants -- Mitchella repens, Gaultheria procumbens and Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus are referred to as partridgeberry (OED-3, s.v. "partridgeberry"). The term partridgeberry derives from the habit of partridges and other birds of eating the berries in the winter (DARE, s.v. "partridgeberry"). Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus, a wild subspecies of a species that is cultivated in Europe as the lingonberry, has long played an important role in Newfoundland and Labrador's economy. The province is the largest North American producer of this fruit (Penney et al. 1997: 139). The particular variety mentioned here, and its name, are native to North America (see Chart 1). According to a regional language study done in the province, the use of partridgeberry for this genus is exclusive to Newfoundland (see the 1987 quotation). As Chart 2 indicates, Mitchella repens is prominent in the US, which suggests that Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus is the more prominent Newfoundland variety.
  See also OED-3, s.v. "partridgeberry" (1c), which is marked "Newfoundland".

  See also: redberry  

  • 1770-1786  (1911)  Friday, May 10, 1776. After breakfast I sent the Indian women to Signal Hill to pick partridge-berries (1) and watch for deer. [...] (1) He does not refer to Mitchella repens, the "partridge berry," common in Nova Scotia and farther south, but probably to Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea. 
  • 1886  Partridge-berries are sometimes so plentiful in Labrador, that barrels are gathered by the people and sent to the market in S. John's, where they are in great demand. 
  • 1914  The partridge-berry of Newfoundland is known botanically as Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea L., var. minus Lodd. The typical form of the plant is not found with us, but is a native of Europe. Our plant, the variety minus, distinguished by shorter stems and shorter and narrower leaves, is widely distributed, being found throughout northern North America, and also in Greenland and eastern Asia. [...] Newfoundlanders know it as the partridgeberry, while in Nova Scotia it passes as the foxberry, and in the United States as the mountain cranberry or rock cranberry. [...] The plant which is called the partridge-berry in the United States is an entirely different species, Mitchella repens, a member of the madder family (Rubiaceae). 
  • 1937  The lingon berry, popularly called partridge berry, or rock cranberry, has a very distinctive flavour, and is one of the most prevalent of the wild fruits. Over 9000 barrels were exported in 1935 to the American market. 
  • 1944  But the favorite of all is the delectable partridge berry, the highland cranberry, which is reminiscent of the Norwegian lingon berry. The partridge berry of Newfoundland and Labrador has a unique flavour of its own which the hot summer sun and clear breezes of the north distill in its wine-red and pale green cheeks hidden under lacy little vines on the tops of northern ledges. 
  • 1956  Newfoundland's lowly partridgeberry which is found in abundance on the Island's barrens and ridges comes in for a spot of attention in this issue as we feature a number of recipes of which the chief ingredient is the local "redberry." 
  • 1987  Partridgeberry - Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. [Partridgeberry]. This is strictly a Newfoundland usage. This species has other names elsewhere and 'Partridgeberry' is used for other species elsewhere. This plant grows on the barrens where its berry is a food for partridge which, in fact, are called 'ptarmigan' elsewhere.
  • 1993  Our shrub, the variety minus, is found throughout North America, in Greenland and in eastern Asia. In this Province it is most frequently found in eastern Newfoundland and southern Labrador. Known in some places as foxberry, crowberry, redberry and wolfberry, our partridgeberry is a member of the heath family, as are Labrador tea, capillaire, and many plants of the local barrens. 

• 1b n. — Newfoundland, Flora

  the edible red berry of the Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus (see meaning 1a).

  Type: 5. Frequency — The fruits are most often used to make jam or some kind of baked dessert (see the 1992 quotation). The partridgeberry industry has been a vital part of Newfoundland's economy for over a century (see the 1886 quotation) (see meaning 1a). The berry is also harvested in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. In the latter province it is known as the foxberry (Hendrickson 1997: 47).

  See also: foxberry  pheasantberry  

  • 1770  (1792)  We landed opposite Grove Island, and walked upon the low hills, where we found plenty of partridge berries.
  • 1835  (1836)  The partridge, or ptarmigan, were also very numerous upon these hills, searching for a species of cranberry, which is called here, the partridge-berry.
  • 1886  Partridge-berries are sometimes so plentiful in Labrador, that barrels are gathered by the people and sent to the market in S. John's, where they are in great demand. 
  • 1927  I never can resist the attraction of this scrutiny in Newfoundland. There is so much to see and to note for the botanist in this island. So many mosses, and lichens, and flowers, and creepers. And so many colours. The grey-green pasturage of the Caribou; the green and magenta of the Indian Pipes; the vivid orange of the Partridge Berry; the glorious blue of the Gentians. 
  • 1954  Partridge berries jumped to 70 cents a gallon from 45 cents a few days after the season opened.
  • 1992  A new herbal book by Rodale Press [publishers of Organic Gardening magazine] points out that urinary tract infections are greatly reduced in people who drink cranberry juice. The same may be true for those who consume chemically-similar patridge berry jam and sauce. 
  • 2011  Partridgeberries are native to North America and grow wild in Eastern Canada and the United States. Although they're also commonly called lingonberries, partridgeberries belong to a different family than the lingonberries used in Scandinavian cooking. The supertart, deep red berries are similar to cranberries, but are smaller and have an earthy flavour, which makes them great companions to savoury dishes. 
  • 2013  Partridgeberries: The same as Scandinavian lingonberries; tart red berries related to cranberries but smaller and juicier; grow in the dry, acidic soils of the province's barrens and coastal headlands; a special favourite of Newfoundlanders. 

• 2 † n. — Flora

  a trailing evergreen shrub, Mitchella repens, having roundish leaves and white blossoms.

  Mitchella repens is a North American shrub that is also referred to as partridgeberry, but this species does not have the cultural or historical significance of Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus (see meanings 1a, 1b).

  See also: twinberry  

  • Though this usage of partridgeberry can be seen across North America, it is most prevalent in the US (see Chart 2).

  • 1853  That elegant little plant Mitchella repens, sometimes called partridge-berry and also twin-berry, from the scarlet fruit having the appearance of being double.
  • 1993  Mitchella repens, or partridgeberry (Z4), offers a mat of small, shiny, white-lined evergreen leaves with red berries.