Cyanococcus cuthbertii Small
Vaccinium constablaei A. Gray
Vaccinium corymbosum L. var. albiflorum (Hook.) Fernald
Vaccinium corymbosum L. var. glabrum A. Gray
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.
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:
5/24/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 13 × 9″ (33 × 22 cm) 
5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 4½″ (12 × 12 cm) 
5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm) 
5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm) 
8/1/2009 · Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (16 × 11 cm) 
5/27/2014 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm) 
5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (14 × 12 cm) 
6/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm) 
4/24/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm) 
6/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) 
7/16/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 16 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Ericales | Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others |
| Family | Ericaceae | Heath or heather family |
| Genus | Vaccinium | Ancient Latin name for billberry |
| Species | corymbosum | “Provided with corymbs”—containing flowers in corymbs |
Vaccinium corymbosum description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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