Vaccinium uliginosum
Alpine Blueberry
Photo by Susan R. Crispin

Key Characteristics

Low, woody, erect shrub of bedrock beaches; leaves firm, deciduous and blue-green (<1.5 cm long), with blunt, untoothed, and slightly inrolled margins; the flowers and fruits (no more than 1-2) are borne in the leaf axils.

Status and Rank

  • State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
  • State Rank: S2 - Imperiled
  • Global Rank: G5 - Secure

Occurrences

County NameNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Keweenaw131994
Occurrence Map for [Sname]

Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

Alpine blueberry is found on rooting in cracks on bedrock shores and forms mats with surface runners.

Natural Community Types

Associated Plants

Northern white cedar, white spruce, bearberry, shrubby cinquefoil, creeping juniper, black crowberry, trisetum, primrose, and violet butterwort.

Management

This species primarily requires protection of habitat and perpetuation of natural disturbance (winter ice, storms, wind) and hydrological regimes. This community occupies a stressed, potentially unstable environment; many of the species found in this community do not tolerate later stages of succession and require management that prevents woody plant encroachment. Protect from development.

General Survey Guidelines

Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgment of the investigator.

Survey Methods

References

Survey References

Technical References

Page Citation

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2007. Rare Species Explorer (Web Application). Available online at http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/explorer [Accessed Jan 16, 2009]