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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Gaylussacia brachycera

Gaylussacia brachycera (Michx.) A. Gray

Box Huckleberry

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s): Buxella brachycera

USDA Symbol: GABR5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Spreading evergreen shrub, 6-18 in. high, sometimes forming large colonies. Foliage is dark, glossy green, becoming deep bronze to reddish-purple in winter. Flowers are white or pinkish and urn-shaped, borne in few-flowered, axillary clusters. Fruit is dark blue & edible.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 18 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: DE , KY , MD , PA , TN , VA , WV
Native Distribution: PA to VA & Lexington Co., SC, w. to KY & TN
Native Habitat: Wooded hillsides; mt. slopes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Sandy, acid soil.
Conditions Comments: An intriguing evergreen ground cover, suitable to areas beneath pines and rhododendrons where the soil is acid and well-drained. No serious disease or insect problems. Absolutely requires loose, acidic soils supplied with ample organic matter.

Propagation

Description: Untreated seeds are slow to germinate. Treatment is recommended. The success of cuttings is variable. Best results seem to occur with treated late summer or fall cuttings.
Seed Treatment: Warm followed by cold stratification; one month per treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Gaylussacia brachycera in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Gaylussacia brachycera in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Gaylussacia brachycera

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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