What are these types of berries called?

Question

My home in western Washington state has viney bushes growing in the back yard with blueberry-like berries on them. The leaves on the vines are large and broad (about 2" by 3" on average) and when I open the berries, they have a thin, purple flesh on the outer layer, but are filled mostly with seeds. The berries also have tiny, spinney looking hairs on the surface. Does anyone know what these plants are? Are they in the blueberry family? Are they safe to eat?

Answer 1

My guess is you have Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/druclimb/27...

http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/PI/GO-NATIVE/...

http://www.pnwflowers.com/browse/family/...

These can be used for jam, jelly or for wine.

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/fcd/foo...

http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/salal.a...

Both wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) , huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) & Salal belong to the Ericaceae so are distantly related.

http://www.uga.edu/fruit/bluberi.html