Cuawak
(Vaccinium ovalifolium Sm.)
Plant
This shrub grows in moist woods and tundra. It has early blooming, urn-shaped, pink flowers, small oval leaves, and reddish twigs, and it produces juicy, dark blue berries. Blueberries ripen in August and can be collected into September. However, rain and frost cause the berries to become watery and drop quickly.
Food: Used to make jams, jellies, and deserts, and often added to akutaq. Blueberries were once preserved in oil or frozen water. Today people keep them in freezers.
Material: Used to make a purplish red dye.
