Vaccinium ovatum

Vaccinium ovatum
	berry
Systematics
	Nuclear eudicotyledons
	Asterids
Order :	Heather-like (Ericales)
Family :	Heather family (Ericaceae)
Genre :	Blueberries ( vaccinium )
Type :	Vaccinium ovatum
Scientific name
	Vaccinium ovatum
	Pursh 1813

Vaccinium ovatum is a species of blueberry ( Vaccinium ) within the heather family( Ericaceae ). It is native to North America and is known there by the common names Evergreen Huckleberry , Winter Huckleberry and California Huckleberry .

Distribution and ecology

Vaccinium ovatum is a small to medium-sized evergreen shrub native to the west coast of the United States and the coastal region of British Columbia . Typical companion species in the populated habitats are z. B. the West American sword fern ( Polystichum munitum ), the coastal forest fern ( Dryopteris arguta ), the creeping snowberry ( Symphoricarpos mollis ) and the white cinnamon raspberry ( Rubus parviflorus ). Often growing on dead wood ( nurse logs ) is observed, a form of probiosis ; Community association with Vaccinium parvifolium is also common .

features

Vaccinium ovatum is a real huckleberry that grows well in both shady and sunny areas and thrives on acidic soils. Undemanding to light, it colonizes a wide range of forest habitats; it often sprouts on old stumps of the coastal redwood tree ( Sequoia sempervirens ) or from dense thorn bushes. The glossy, alternating, egg-shaped leaves are 2–3 cm long and about one centimeter wide with finely serrated edges. During the summer, the plant produces round, edible berries up to one centimeter in diameter.

use

food

Traditionally, huckleberries were collected by many Indian tribes on the North American west coast.

Cultivation

Vaccinium ovatum is as an ornamental plant for use by specialized wholesale markets, retailers and nurseries cultivated botanical gardens. It is successfully used in near-natural and sustainable landscaping (especially in California), in landscaped gardens and in renaturation projects, provided the living space conditions are suitable.