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Vaccinium corymbosum L.

Highbush blueberry

Highbush blueberry is a densely branched shrub, native to the eastern United States. Cultivars of this shrub provide most of the commercially sold blueberries, though I personally prefer wild blueberries.

Plants: These plants reach as much as 12′ (3.7 m) in height, though I have never seen one that big. Rounded shrubs are usually 5–8′ (1.5–2.4 m) around.

Leaves: About 1″ (2.5 cm) long, ovate to elliptic, dark green on top, lighter below. Leaves are up to 3 ⨉ 1″ (7.6 ⨉ 2.5 cm). In the fall, leaves turn a whole range of colors—yellow, orange, red.

Flowers: Less than ½″ (1.3 cm) long, pinkish or white, bell- or urn-shaped. Flowers appear in the spring.

Fruits: Berries are ¼–½″ (6.3–12 mm) in diameter, dark blue, sometimes black.

Habitats: Near swampy areas.

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

Photo by Opioła Jerzy (Poland).

This Vaccinium comparison chart also includes a couple of similar-appearing species that are not Vaccinium.

Edibility: Delicious in pies, muffins, pancakes, sauces, and jams.

Online References:

Carolina Nature

Wikipedia

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Paghat's Garden

Plants for a Future

Cyanococcus corymbosus (L.) Rydb.
Cyanococcus cuthbertii Small
Vaccinium constablaei A. Gray
Vaccinium corymbosum L. var. albiflorum (Hook.) Fernald
Vaccinium corymbosum L. var. glabrum A. Gray

 

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

6/11/2008 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/24/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 13 × 9″ (33 × 22 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/23/2008 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 21 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/20/2023 · Knight’s Pond Preserve, Cumberland, Maine

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 4½″ (12 × 12 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/19/2021 · Heath Trail, Highland Green, Topsham, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.5 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

6/26/2024 · Morse Mountain, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/12/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/12/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

8/1/2009 · Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (16 × 11 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (14 × 12 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

6/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

4/24/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

5/26/2008 · Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (10 × 7 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

6/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry)

7/16/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 16 cm)

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin)
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderEricalesTea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others
FamilyEricaceaeHeath or heather family
GenusVacciniumAncient Latin name for billberry
Speciescorymbosum“Provided with corymbs”—containing flowers in corymbs

About plant names...

Range: Zones 5-8:

About this map...

Vaccinium corymbosum description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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