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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

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.

Plant 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

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant 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 Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa (east), Minnesota (southeast), Missouri (east), Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Canada, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador,

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Other
Gaylussacia brachycera	Box Huckleberry	Shrub	0.5	5-9	LMH	FSN	DM	2	2
Gaylussacia dumosa	Dwarf Huckleberry	Shrub	0.3	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	0
Gaylussacia frondosa	Dangleberry, Blue huckleberry	Shrub	1.8	5-9	LMH	SN	DM	3	0
Gaylussacia ursina	Bear Huckleberry	Shrub	1.8	5-9	LMH	SN	M	2

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.

Gaylussacia baccata - (Wangenh.)K.Koch.