Vaccinium deliciosum

Vaccinium deliciosum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Vaccinium
Species: V. deliciosum
Binomial name
Vaccinium deliciosum
Piper 1901

Vaccinium deliciosum is a species of bilberry known by the common names Cascade bilberry, Cascade blueberry, and blueleaf huckleberry.

Vaccinium deliciosum is native to western North America from British Columbia to northern California with a few isolated populations in eastern Idaho. It grows at elevations of 600–2,000 metres (2,000–6,600 ft) in subalpine and alpine climates. Its habitat includes coniferous forests and meadows.[1][2] [3]

Description

Vaccinium deliciosum is a rhizomatous shrub taking a clumpy, matted form, its tangling stem rooting where its nodes touch moist substrate. It may form expansive colonies. The new green twigs are hairless and waxy and the deciduous leaves are alternately arranged. The thin oval leaf blades are up to 5 centimeters long while the edges are mostly smooth but may be serrated near the ends.[4]

Solitary flowers occur in the leaf axils. Each is 6 or 7 millimeters long, widely urn-shaped to rounded, and pale pink in color. The fruit is a waxy blue or reddish berry which may be over a centimeter (>0.4 inches) wide. It is said to be particularly tasty.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  2. ↑ Turner Photographics, Vaccinium deliciosum - Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest photos, description, partial distribution map
  3. ↑ Calflora taxon report, University of California, Vaccinium deliciosum Piper, Cascade bilberry
  4. 1 2 Flora of North America, Vaccinium deliciosum Piper, 1901. Cascade bilberry
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