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Gaylussacia baccata - (Wangenh.)K.Koch.

Common Name Black Huckleberry
Family Ericaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry or moist woods, thickets and clearings[43], on acidic sandy soils[200].
Range Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Georgia, Manitoba, Wisconsin and Kentucky.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Gaylussacia baccata Black Huckleberry


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Gaylussacia baccata Black Huckleberry
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Summary

Gaylussacia baccata, the black huckleberry, is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) in dry woods; closely resembling blueberry plants (Vaccinium species), it is grown in similar conditions. Plants spread quickly to form thickets in sunny woody areas. The fruit is deliciously spicy and sweet; they can be eaten out of hand or used in pies, preserves etc. They can also be dried for later use. The dried fruit can be ground into a powder then mixed with cereal flours to make bread. The fruit is somewhat seedy. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter. Some medical uses.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Gaylussacia baccata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

G. resinosa. Andromeda baccata. Vaccinium resinosum.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 3, 55]. Deliciously spicy and sweet, they can be eaten out of hand or used in pies, preserves etc[183]. They can also be dried for later use[62]. The dried fruit can be ground into a powder then mixed with cereal flours to make bread[257]. The fruit is rather seedy[235]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Dysentery  Miscellany

An infusion of the leaves, or the bark, has been used in the treatment of dysentery[257]. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of Bright's disease[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Miscellany

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a lime-free moist peaty soil, thriving in sun or part shade[3, 182, 200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties selected for their larger fruits[22, 46]. The small oval leaves are covered with globules on the underside from which a resinous gum is exuded[245]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 7 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a running thicket former forming a colony from shoots away from the crown spreading indefinitely [1-2]. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[200]. Seeds are short-lived and difficult to germinate. Stored seed requires 1 month warm stratification followed by 2 months cold[113]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots of lime-free compost and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer when they are at least 15cm tall. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Layering. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Black huckleberry, common huckleberry

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Canada, Europe, North America*, USA,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Gaylussacia brachyceraBox HuckleberryShrub0.5 5-9  LMHFSNDM202
Gaylussacia dumosaDwarf HuckleberryShrub0.3 5-9  LMSNM300
Gaylussacia frondosaDangleberry, Blue huckleberryShrub1.8 5-9  LMHSNDM300
Gaylussacia ursinaBear HuckleberryShrub1.8 5-9  LMHSNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Wangenh.)K.Koch.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

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