Vaccinium ovatum Pursh var. saporosum Jeps.
Vaccinium ovatum Pursh Evergreen huckleberry, California huckleberry
Evergreen huckleberry is native to the west coast of North America. Identification: These plants are bushy shrubs up to 24-36" (60-91 cm) in full sun, and up to 15' (4.6 m) in the shade. Leaves are dark green and shiny, alternate, 1-2" (2.5-5 cm) long. They are ovate (oval, wider at the base) in shape, with pointed tips, tough and leathery, with small serrations along the edges. Flowers are about ½" (1.3 cm) long, pinkish white, bell-shaped, in clusters of 3 to 10. Berries are purplish black, ⅛-¼" (4-7 mm) in diameter. This Vaccinium comparison chart also includes a couple of similar-appearing species that are not Vaccinium. Edibility: As with other members of Vaccinium (such as blueberries), berries are edible, though these taste better after the first frost. They were highly prized by native American tribes along the Pacific coast, dried and formed into cakes. Today they are used anywhere blueberries might be—in bread, muffins, jams, etc. By Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. Pickart. Online References:
Washington State University’s Gardening in Western Washington Vaccinium ovatum Pursh var. saporosum Jeps.
Vaccinium ovatum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020. © FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved. |
Could be any of several other huckleberries. · 8/26/2007 · Cape Meares State Park, Oregon Range: Zones 7-9:
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