Berries
Gabluk
Iñupiaq Name: Gabluk phonetic spelling: gab-luck plural: gabluit translation / other information none known English Name: Bearberry, kinnik-kinnik Scientific Name Arctostaphylos alpina, rubra Source: L. Spring, p. 22
I have mentioned both Arctostaphylos species together because they are not distinguished with two Iñupiaq names. Both species grow in drier patches of the open tundra. The gabluit plants are low shrubs and only grow to be a few inches off the ground. The oval shaped leaves have a characteristic net-venation easily distinguished from other plants of the tundra. The berries are large and black in the case of the Arctostaphylos alpina and a red berry in the case of the Arctostaphylos rubra . Both berries are flavorless and pulpy, but edible. Gabluk berries are not as used, as many of the other berries are, like blueberries, salmonberries and cranberries; but they may be mixed in with other berries to add bulk to the collection, especially in bad berry years. The berries taste better if boiled adds Hulten to his description of the gabluk berries (Hulten, p. 730).