Vaccinium
Common Name(s):
- Description
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This genus encompasses shrubs of a number of fruits including blueberries and cranberries. Many species are native to North America, including NC, and grow well in our local climate and acidic soils.
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
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
Rabbiteye Blueberry - 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
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
Rabbiteye Blueberry - 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:
- Black
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- 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 varies with species with many being dark blue or bright red. They all have a distinct "crown" of 4-5 parts on the blossom end.
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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.
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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:
- Non-distinct leaves, often elliptic to ovate. Underside may be lighter. Often has bright fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
