Dangleberry Gaylussacia frondosa

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Gaylussacia

  Species:

  frondosa

  Family:

  Ericaceae

  Life Cycle:

  Woody

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  Eastern U.S.A

  Fire Risk Rating:

  low flammability

  Wildlife Value:

  This plant provides nectar for pollinators. It is a host plant for Henry's Elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici) larvae which appear from February to May and have one flight. Adult Henry's Elfin butterflies feed on flower nectar. Butterflies are attracted to its blooms.  Its thickets provide cover for wildlife, while birds including grouse, bobwhite, scarlet tanagers and wild turkeys eat the berries.

  Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

  fire in the landscape.

  Edibility:

  Fruits are highly edible and enjoyed by humans and wildlife alike.

  Dimensions:

  Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.

  Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Edible

  Native Plant

  Perennial

  Shrub

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Growth Rate:

  Slow

  Maintenance:

  Low

  Texture:

  Medium

• Cultural Conditions:

  Light:

  Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

  Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

  Soil pH:

  Acid (<6.0)

  Soil Drainage:

  Good Drainage

  Moist

  Occasionally Wet

  NC Region:

  Coastal

  Piedmont

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Black

  Blue

  Fruit Value To Gardener:

  Edible

  Display/Harvest Time:

  Summer

  Fruit Description:

  Blue-black oval berries. Displays from June to August.

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Pink

  White

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Spring

  Flower Shape:

  Bell

  Cup

  Flower Description:

  In the spring, small white to pink bell or cup-shaped flowers mature on the Blue huckleberry. They are followed by a blue to black edible berry. Blooms from March to May.

• Leaves:

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Leaf Color:

  Green

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Description:

  They have a fuzzy margin and yellow resin dots on the underside

• Bark:

  Bark Color:

  Dark Brown

  Dark Gray

  Surface/Attachment:

  Peeling

  Bark Description:

  The bark is gray-brown and finely peeling.

• Stem:

  Stem Color:

  Brown/Copper

  Green

  Red/Burgundy

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

  Stem Buds:

  Scaly

  Stem Description:

  Its twigs are brown, green or red. There are three or more scales on the winter buds, and they overlap like shingles, with one edge covered and the other edge exposed.

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Naturalized Area

  Landscape Theme:

  Butterfly Garden

  Pollinator Garden

  Attracts:

  Butterflies

  Hummingbirds

  Pollinators

  Small Mammals

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Fire

  Wet Soil