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Vaccinium membranaceum Dougl. ex Torr.

Mountain huckleberry, Square-twig blueberry, Thinleaf huckleberry

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

USDA Symbol: VAME

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A spreading shrub, 1 1/2-6 ft. tall, with small oval leaves and single, pale yellowish-pink flowers hanging on short pedicels from leaf axils. The tubular flowers are followed by edible, purple or purplish-red berries.

This is an important and nutritious food source for Black and Grizzly Bears, which consume not only the berries but also other plant parts, as well as deer, Elk, Moose, and Ruffed Grouse.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Leaf Color: Green
Fruit Color: Purple, Red

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , ID , MI , MN , MT , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: B.C. to n. CA, e. to MT & ID; also two occurences in the Black Hills
Native Habitat: Conifer woods on mt. slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist , Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Moist to mesic, acid soil.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Description: Vaccinium species are propagated by seeds, cuttings and rooted suckers of offshoots.
Seed Treatment: Dormancy varies. A 3 month cold-moist stratification may be necessary.
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.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

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

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