Vaccinium corymbosum L.
Highbush blueberry
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Asteridae A large class that encompasses asters
Order Ericales Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others
Family Ericaceae Heath or heather family
Genus Vaccinium Ancient Latin name for billberry
Species corymbosum “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.
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 · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 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)
Older scientific or horticultural names
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.
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 · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm)
5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 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:
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