Vaccinium macrocarpon is a perennial berry native to North America and some parts of Europe. In North America, cranberries grow mostly in east coast bogs, stretching from the maritime provinces in Canada to the Carolinas. There are roughly 37,000 acres in cultivation in North America.

The plants grow in acidic, peaty, sandy loam soils. The water table is generally high, and irrigation is highly controlled in the case of domesticated bogs.

The berry grows on low vines which form pink flowers and small and thick evergreen leaves. The flowers are mostly pollinated by bees which may be introduced in large numbers to produce maximum yields. The vines usually produce fruit in July and harvest takes place in late September, depending on fruit size and color. Harvesting of the berries may be accomplished by flooding the bed, or by dry methods using comb-like pickers.

Cranberries are grown to produce juices, sauces, and other processed foods. They may also be sold as fresh fruits.