Practical
Plants

Vaccinium ovatum

Evergreen Huckleberry

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Vaccinium genus in the family Ericaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
2.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[14][1][2][5][9][13]. Somewhat sweet but slightly dry[9][12]. The fruit is quite palatable but is nothing special[K]. A strong flavour, they are usually cooked in pies, preserves etc[7][9]. The fruit will often hang on the bush until early winter[12]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[11]. A tea is made from the leaves and dried fruit[1].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are antiseptic, astringent, carminative and hypoglycaemic[6]. An infusion of the leaves and sugar have been given to a mother after childbirth to help her regain her strength[13]. A decoction of the leaves has been used in the treatment of diabetes[13].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Birthing aid
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic

Environment

Range
Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
Habitat
Dry slopes and sandy heathy places from near the sea to 800 metres[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[16]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[4]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[11]. 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[16]. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn[16]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[11]. Takes 18 months[16]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[3][11]. 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[11]. Most species require shelter from strong winds[11], but judging by the native range of this species it might succeed in maritime exposure[K]. Hardy to about -15°c[10]. Plants are sometimes cut back by late frosts[3] A very ornamental plant[15], it is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[9]. One report says that it does not fruit freely in Britain[3], 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[8]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[11]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[11].

References

  1. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  5. Gunther. E. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-295-95258-X

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  6. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  8. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  12. Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7748-0533-1

    ↩1↩2

  13. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩

  15. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

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  16. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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