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Vaccinium corymbosum L.

Highbush blueberry

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderEricalesTea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others
FamilyEricaceaeHeath or heather family
GenusVacciniumAncient Latin name for billberry
Speciescorymbosum“Provided with corymbs”—containing flowers in corymbs

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.

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Cyanococcus corymbosus (L.) Rydb.

Cyanococcus cuthbertii Small

Vaccinium constablaei A. Gray

Vaccinium corymbosum L. var. albiflorum (Hook.) Fernald

Vaccinium corymbosum L. var. glabrum A. Gray

 

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

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

8/1/2009 · Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

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

Range: Zones 3:

About this map...