cranberry

Any of several trailing evergreen plants belonging to the heath family, related to bilberries and blueberries. They grow in marshy places and bear small, acid, crimson berries, high in vitamin C content, used for making sauce and jelly. (Genus Vaccinium, family Ericaceae.)

Cranberry juice has been traditionally used to ease the symptoms of cystitis. US researchers proved in 1998 that the chemicals proanthocyanidins found in cranberry juice prevent bacteria from sticking to urinary tract cells and so facilitate the flushing out of the bacteria.