Bog huckleberry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bog huckleberry |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gaylussacia
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| Species: |
bigeloviana
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| Synonyms | |
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The bog huckleberry (scientific name: Gaylussacia bigeloviana) is a special plant found in wet, swampy areas. It's a type of shrub that grows in the eastern parts of Canada and the United States. You can find it all the way from Newfoundland down to South Carolina!
What is the Bog Huckleberry?
This plant is a shrub, which means it's a woody plant smaller than a tree. It can grow up to about 1 meter (or 40 inches) tall. Sometimes, many bog huckleberry plants grow together, forming small groups.
Leaves, Flowers, and Fruits
The bog huckleberry has thick leaves that feel a bit like leather. The top side of the leaves is shiny, while the underside is a pale green color.
When it blooms, you'll see pretty flowers in clusters of 3 to 7. These flowers can be white, pink, or even red! After the flowers, the plant produces small, black fruits. These fruits are juicy, but they don't have much flavor.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant loves wet places. It grows in swamps and marshes. It's especially happy in acidic bogs, which are very wet areas with a lot of moss called Sphagnum peatmoss. These bogs have a special kind of soil that the bog huckleberry needs to thrive.
