Shiny Blueberry Vaccinium myrsinites

Shiny Blueberry has white to pink flowers and is native to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.  In it natural habitat it can be found growing in mixed forests, areas of sand pine scrub and subtropical pine forests, which include prairies or barrens and at the edges of shrub-tree bogs or bays.  

Previously called Ground Blueberry, the common name was changed in 2018.  

An important source of food for wildlife.  Black bear, raccoon, white-footed mouse, red fox, gray fox, skunks, deer, chipmunks, deer mice, and squirrels seek out the berries as a source of food.  Many species of birds also consume the fruits.  Among these are the ring-necked pheasant, gray catbird, thrushes, thrashers, and bluebirds.  It is a major source of food in the spring and summer for the northern bobwhite.  In addition to wildlife, human consumption of the fruit is common, both raw and cooked.

Solitary plants rarely produce fruit.  Placing multiple, unrelated plants together will result in fruit production.

Spreading by rhizomes, this plant can colonize, covering large areas.  It also forms runners that can spread along the ground when surrounding vegetation is absent, such as from fire or other methods.  In some locations, Shiny Blueberry is a prominent understory shrub.  Often, fire is used as a means of eliminating other vegetation in order for this plant to flourish.  Following such an occurrence, future fruiting will be greatly increased.  The foliage can be consumed by fire, however, the underground stolons will survive and sprout.  Birds and some mammals can also transport some seed to burned areas.

When growing from seed, ideal conditions include placing the seedlings in a greenhouse in some light shade.  These conditions should exist through the plants first winter.  Plant outdoors in a permanent locations after the last frost, late spring, into early summer.  Lime free soil is required.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Can become invasive.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

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