Vaccinium corymbosum L.

Highbush blueberry

About plant names...

Highbush blueberry is a densely branched shrub, native to the eastern United States. Cultivars of this shrub provide most of the commercially sold blueberries, though I personally prefer wild blueberries.

Identification: These plants reach as much as 12' (3.7 m) in height, though I have never seen one that big. Leaves are about 1" (2.5 cm) long, dark green on top, lighter below. In the fall, leaves turn a whole range of colors—yellow, orange, red. Flowers are less than ½" (1.3 cm) long, pinkish or white, bell- or urn-shaped. Berries are ¼-½" (6.3-12 mm) in diameter, dark blue, sometimes black.

Photo by Opioła Jerzy (Poland).

This Vaccinium comparison chart also includes a couple of similar-appearing species that are not Vaccinium.

Edibility: Delicious in pies, muffins, pancakes, sauces, and jams.

Online References:

Www.carolinanature.com

The University of Connecticut Plant Database

Wikipedia

The University of Connecticut Plant Database

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

in Paghat's Garden

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

6/11/2008 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

5/24/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine
≈ 13 × 9" (33 × 22 cm)

5/23/2008 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 21 cm)

5/20/2023 · Knight’s Pond Preserve, Cumberland, Maine

5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4½ × 4½" (12 × 12 cm)

5/19/2021 · Heath Trail, Highland Green, Topsham, Maine
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.5 cm)

5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 15 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 11 Jul 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.

5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

5/12/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

5/12/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

8/1/2009 · Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine
≈ 6 × 4½" (16 × 11 cm)

5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 9" (15 × 22 cm)

5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 4½" (14 × 12 cm)

6/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 15 × 10" (39 × 26 cm)

4/24/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

5/26/2008 · Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4 × 2½" (10 × 7 cm)

6/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 20 cm)

7/16/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 16 cm)

Range: Zones 3:

About this map...