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Vaccinium uliginosum
Vaccinium uliginosum L.
Alpine Blueberry, Bog Blueberry
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonym(s): Vaccinium occidentale, Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. alpinum, Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. gaultherioides, Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. microphyllum, Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. occidentale, Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. pedris, Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. pubescens, Vaccinium uliginosum var. alpinum, Vaccinium uliginosum var. occidentale, Vaccinium uliginosum var. salicinum
USDA Symbol: vaul
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)
An 8-20 in., much-branched blueberry bush with firm, oval leaves. Pink, bell-shaped flowers occur 1-4 per axil. Berries are dark blue and glaucous.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf: Dark Green
Fruit: Purple
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PinkBloom Time: Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , ID , ME , MI , MN , MT , NH , NV , NY , OR , UT , VT , WA , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Circumpolar, s. in the U.S. to n. New England, extreme n.e. MN, & Humbolt Co., CA
Native Habitat: Heath & bogs
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Wet, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Heath Sulphur (Colias chippewa), Polaris Fritillary (Boloria polaris)
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Heath Sulphur (Colias chippewa) Larval Host |
Polaris Fritillary (Boloria polaris) Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Vaccinium species are propagated by seeds, cuttings and rooted suckers of offshoots.Seed Treatment: Dormancy varies. Cold-moist stratification may be necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FACW | FAC | FAC | FACW |
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Vaccinium uliginosum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Vaccinium uliginosum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vaccinium uliginosum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01Research By: TWC Staff