olena
<font color=green>Emerald Angel<br><font color=mag
- Joined
- May 12, 2001
Provincial Berry
Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Description A multi-stemmed shrub with green, or often red, twigs and terminal clusters of small, urn-shaped white flowers.
Flowers: 1/4-1/2" (6-13 mm) long; corolla 5-toothed.
Leaves: 1 1/2-3" (3.8-7.5 cm) long; elliptic, entire, smooth above but usually somewhat hairy beneath.
Fruit: blue berry with whitish bloom.
Height: 5-15' (1.5-4.5 m).
Flowering: Flowers, May-June; fruit June-August.
Habitat Swamps or dry upland woods.
Range Quebec to Nova Scotia; south to Georgia; west to Alabama, north to Wisconsin.
Discussion Cultivated blueberries have been derived from the tall-growing shrub. It is often found in wet areas, but closely related growths occur in dry sites. These plants are very important to wildlife: their berries are relished by songbirds, game birds, bear, and small mammals; the twigs and foliage are eaten by deer and rabbits. Because of their food value and spectacular red fall foliage, these shrubs are excellent for naturalized landscaping.
Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Description A multi-stemmed shrub with green, or often red, twigs and terminal clusters of small, urn-shaped white flowers.
Flowers: 1/4-1/2" (6-13 mm) long; corolla 5-toothed.
Leaves: 1 1/2-3" (3.8-7.5 cm) long; elliptic, entire, smooth above but usually somewhat hairy beneath.
Fruit: blue berry with whitish bloom.
Height: 5-15' (1.5-4.5 m).
Flowering: Flowers, May-June; fruit June-August.
Habitat Swamps or dry upland woods.
Range Quebec to Nova Scotia; south to Georgia; west to Alabama, north to Wisconsin.
Discussion Cultivated blueberries have been derived from the tall-growing shrub. It is often found in wet areas, but closely related growths occur in dry sites. These plants are very important to wildlife: their berries are relished by songbirds, game birds, bear, and small mammals; the twigs and foliage are eaten by deer and rabbits. Because of their food value and spectacular red fall foliage, these shrubs are excellent for naturalized landscaping.