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Vaccinium ovatum - Pursh.

Common Name Evergreen Huckleberry, Florist's Huckleberry, Shot Huckleberry, Californian Huckleberry
Family Ericaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry slopes and sandy heathy places from near the sea to 800 metres[184].
Range Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Vaccinium ovatum Evergreen Huckleberry, Florist


Vaccinium ovatum Evergreen Huckleberry, Florist

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Weeping.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Vaccinium ovatum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in) at a slow rate.
It is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) 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. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Tea

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[3, 101, 105, 118, 183, 257]. Somewhat sweet but slightly dry[183, 256]. The fruit is quite palatable but is nothing special[K]. A strong flavour, they are usually cooked in pies, preserves etc[177, 183]. The fruit will often hang on the bush until early winter[256]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[200]. A tea is made from the leaves and dried fruit[101].

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.
Antiseptic  Astringent  Birthing aid  Carminative  Hypoglycaemic

The leaves are antiseptic, astringent, carminative and hypoglycaemic[172]. An infusion of the leaves and sugar have been given to a mother after childbirth to help her regain her strength[257]. A decoction of the leaves has been used in the treatment of diabetes[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[11, 200]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[200]. Most species require shelter from strong winds[200], but judging by the native range of this species it might succeed in maritime exposure[K]. Hardy to about -15°c[184]. Plants are sometimes cut back by late frosts[11] A very ornamental plant[60], it is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[183]. One report says that it does not fruit freely in Britain[11], but a shrub growing in the shade of oak trees at the RHS gardens in Wisley was seen to be heavy with fruit in the autumns of 1987 and 1988[K]. A shade loving plant, growing well in a woodland[182]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[200]. Special Features:North American native, Edible, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[78]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[113]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[200]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[78]. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn[78]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[200]. Takes 18 months[78]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[113].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (British Columbia (southwest)), United States (Oregon (west), Washington (west), California)

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
Vaccinium alaskaenseAlaska BlueberryShrub1.8 -  LMSNM20 
Vaccinium amoenumLarge-Cluster BlueberryShrub4.0 4-8  LMSNMWe20 
Vaccinium angustifoliumLow Sweet Blueberry, Lowbush blueberryShrub0.2 2-6  LMSNDM310
Vaccinium angustifolium laevifoliumLow Sweet BlueberryShrub0.6 2-6  LMSNDM300
Vaccinium arboreumFarkleberryTree5.0 6-9  LMSNM213
Vaccinium arbusculaDwarf bilberryShrub0.6 0-0  LMSNMWe10 
Vaccinium arctostaphylosCaucasian WhortleberryShrub3.0 5-9  LMSNM300
Vaccinium asheiRabbiteye BlueberryShrub5.0 7-10  LMSNM20 
Vaccinium australeNorthern BlueberryShrub1.5 2-7 MLMSNM412
Vaccinium bracteatumSea BilberryShrub1.0 6-9  LMSNM11 
Vaccinium brittonii Shrub2.0 -  LMSNDM10 
Vaccinium caesarienseNew Jersey blueberryShrub1.5 -  LMSNMWe20 
Vaccinium caespitosumDwarf BilberryShrub0.3 0-0  LMSNM310
Vaccinium ciliatum Shrub2.0 -  LMSNM10 
Vaccinium constablaeiHillside BlueberryShrub1.0 -  LMSNM30 
Vaccinium corymbosumHigh-Bush Blueberry, American Blueberry, Swamp Blueberry, BlueberryShrub2.0 3-8 MLMSNM410
Vaccinium crassifoliumCreeping BlueberryShrub0.1 6-9  LMSNM302
Vaccinium cylindraceum Shrub3.0 9-11  LMSNM20 
Vaccinium darrowiiDarrow's blueberryShrub0.0 0-0  LMSNDM10 
Vaccinium deliciosumAlpine Blueberry, Cascade bilberryShrub0.3 5-9  LMSNM300
Vaccinium duclouxii Shrub3.0 8-11  LMSNM30 
Vaccinium elliottiiElliott's blueberryShrub4.0 5-9  LMSNM10 
Vaccinium erythrocarpumSouthern Mountain CranberryShrub1.5 5-9  LMSNM300
Vaccinium formosumSwamp Highbush Blueberry, Southern blueberryShrub4.0 5-9  LMSNM300
Vaccinium fuscatumBlack Highbush BlueberryShrub3.5 4-8  LMSNMWe300
Vaccinium hirsutumHairy HuckleberryShrub0.0 5-9  LMSNM30 
Vaccinium hirtum Shrub1.0 5-9  LMSNM10 
Vaccinium japonicum Shrub0.7 5-9  LMSNM20 
Vaccinium koreanum Shrub0.0 -  LMSNM10 
Vaccinium leucanthum Shrub0.0 -  LMSNM10 
123

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Pursh.

Botanical References

1160200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

phil rooksby   Fri Feb 29 2008

a photo of this (taken Feb 2008) is on our blogsite http://monkeyandsofia.blogspot.com/2008/02/have-cup-of-tea.html

monkey & sofia

Scott ichmond   Wed Jun 25 2008

What time of year is it best to pick leaves for tea? Do you mix the leaves with tea leaves? I f the tea is mixed with the berries does it add to the taste?

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Subject : Vaccinium ovatum  
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