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Vaccinium ovatum Pursh

California huckleberry, Evergreen blueberry, Evergreen huckleberry

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

USDA Symbol: VAOV2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Evergreen blueberry is an elegant, much-branched, evergreen shrub, 2-6 ft. tall, with a neat habit and attractive leaves. The leathery leaves are oval and shiny above, paler beneath. Axillary racemes of pink, bell-shaped flowers are followed by dark, edible berries. New growth in the spring is coppery red.

Birds and mammals eat the berries, which resemble blueberries.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Black, Purple
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: W. of the Cascades from s.w. B.C. to n. CA & sporadic southward
Native Habitat: Dry, shaded slopes; moister, woodland edges
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Poor, acid, well-drained soil.
Conditions Comments: Slow-growing. May become spindly with extremes of moisture and shade.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Birds and mammals eat the berries.
Attracts: Birds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Most commonly propagated by softwood cuttings taken in spring. Vaccinium will also root from hardwood cuttings of unbranched shoots of previous season. Seeds may need to be stratified and should be sown on a slightly acid soil mix.
Seed Treatment: Stratify for 60-90 days at 41 degrees. No treatment may give good results.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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