Bearberries are three species of dwarf shrubs in the genus Arctostaphylos. Unlike the other species of Arctostaphylos (see Manzanita), they're adapted to arctic and sub-arctic climates, and have a circumpolar distribution in northern North America, Asia and Europe, one with a small highly disjunct population in Central America. » The unrelated medicinal tree Cascara or chitticum also has "Bearberry" as one of its common names. Also the "American Cranberry" (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is sometimes m… (More on Bearberry)