Vaccinium
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vak-SIN-ee-um
- Description
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This genus encompasses shrubs of several fruits including blueberries and cranberries. Many species are native to North America, including NC, and grow well in our local climate and acidic soils.
There are multiple cultivars. Some are heat tolerant, early fruiting, late fruiting, or disease resistant.
Quick ID Hints:
- shrub with cane growth
- old stems are brown and exfoliating
- young stems are yellowish-green, and red during the winter
- leaves are alternate, elliptic to ovate, entire margins, greenish-blue in color, and the undersides are lighter and glaucous
- urn-shaped blooms arranged in racemes, varying color from white to pink
- fruits are berries that are initially green, then reddish-pink, and then blue with a glaucous coat
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The most serious pests are birds that devour fruits. To protect the shrubs, cover them either individually or in groups with plastic netting. Aphids may be seen on the shrubs, and powdery mildew can occur.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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V. angustifolium
- V. virgatum
Rabbiteye Blueberry
Lowbush Blueberry V. arboreum
Sparkleberry V. corymbosum
Highbush Blueberry V. crassifolium
Creeping Blueberry V. elliottii
Elliott's Blueberry, Mayberry V. formosum
Swamp Highbush Blueberry V. fuscatum
Black Highbush Blueberry V. macrocarpon
American Cranberry V. myrsinites
Shiny Blueberry V. oldhamii
V. pallidum
Blue Ridge Blueberry, Hillside Blueberry V. stamineum
Deerberry V. tenellum
Small Black Blueberry - V. virgatum
- V. angustifolium, V. arboreum, V. corymbosum, V. crassifolium, V. elliottii, V. formosum, V. fuscatum, V. macrocarpon, V. myrsinites, V. oldhamii, V. pallidum, V. stamineum, V. tenellum, V. virgatum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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V. angustifolium
- V. virgatum
Rabbiteye Blueberry
Lowbush Blueberry V. arboreum
Sparkleberry V. corymbosum
Highbush Blueberry V. crassifolium
Creeping Blueberry V. elliottii
Elliott's Blueberry, Mayberry V. formosum
Swamp Highbush Blueberry V. fuscatum
Black Highbush Blueberry V. macrocarpon
American Cranberry V. myrsinites
Shiny Blueberry V. oldhamii
V. pallidum
Blue Ridge Blueberry, Hillside Blueberry V. stamineum
Deerberry V. tenellum
Small Black Blueberry - V. virgatum
- V. angustifolium, V. arboreum, V. corymbosum, V. crassifolium, V. elliottii, V. formosum, V. fuscatum, V. macrocarpon, V. myrsinites, V. oldhamii, V. pallidum, V. stamineum, V. tenellum, V. virgatum
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Vaccinium
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Worldwide
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Edibility:
- All fruits in this genus are safe to eat, though a few are not palatable. Most are sweet and/or tart and many, including blueberries and cranberries, are grown commercially for their fruit.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit shape, color, and size vary with species with many being dark blue or bright red. They all have a distinct "crown" of 4-5 parts on the blossom end. The fruits are initially green, transition to reddish-pink, then blue with a glaucous coat.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Solitary
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers vary but are often small and urn-shaped with fused petals. Their color ranges from white to pink.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The non-distinct leaves are often elliptic to ovate and have an alternate arrangement. The leaves are greenish-blue during the summer, and the undersides are lighter in color and glaucous. The leaves have bright fall colors and may be red, yellow, orange, or bronze.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Old stems are brown and exfoliating. Young stems are yellowish-green. Most blueberry stems are red during the winter.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
