Vaccinium formosum facts for kids

Vaccinium formosum, with common names highbush blueberry, southern blueberry, southern highbush blueberry, and swamp highbush blueberry, is a species of blueberry that is native to the Southeastern United States.

Description

Vaccinium formosum is a deciduous shrub that grows to approximately 3.96-4.57 m (13–15 ft) tall. The plant has ovaloid green leaves that are about 2.5-7.6 cm (1–3 in) in length.

The flowers of the Vaccinium formosum bloom whitish-pink in a bell shape, and the fruit is a dark blue with a "glaucous bloom". The plant has green stems that turn into woody growth as the stems age.

Vaccinium formosum berries are edible in both raw and cooked forms.

Range

Vaccinium formosum is native to the Southeastern United States. It has been found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, and New York.

Cultivation

The plant's primary habitats are in marshes, wetlands, and loamy/sandy soils. It prefers low pH, acidic soils and will not fruit or grow well in basic conditions. The ideal conditions for this plant are in full sun; it can handle partial-sun though it may fruit less. The harvest season of the edible fruit of the Vaccinium formosum is primarily late spring/summer.