Vaccinium alaskaense

A deciduous shrub growing to 1.8m tall, hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. Suitable for light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soils in mildly acid to very acid pH ranges. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.

Description

A shrub. It is like the Black Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) but has more angled twigs, fewer hairs along the veins and fewer, darker berries. It is a shrub that loses its leaves during the year. It grows 150 cm tall. The bark on older branches is grey and yellow-green on twigs. The leaves are oval and pointed. They can be smooth or have fine teeth. The flowers are pink and urn shaped. The flowers occur singly and hand down. The fruit are bluish-black berries and can have a waxy coating.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, though it is rather acidic with a watery taste. North American Indians commonly dried the fruit for use through winter.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten fresh or dried. They are used in pies. They are canned, frozen or used for making jam and jelly.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is very hardy. It grows in moist conifer forests. It also grows along shaded stream banks.

Where It Grows

Alaska, Canada, North America, USA,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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. 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. Requires shelter from strong winds. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed should be sown in late winter in a greenhouse using a lime-free potting mix, barely covered. Stored seed may require up to 3 months of cold stratification. Alternatively, sow seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Once seedlings reach about 5cm tall, prick them out into individual pots and grow on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5–8cm with a heel, can be taken in August in a frame, though this is slow and difficult. Layering can be done in late summer or early autumn, or in spring according to some reports, and takes 18 months. Division of suckers can be carried out in spring or early autumn.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 450 Vaccinium species.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

DEADLY

Deadly Nightshade

Atropa belladonna

Joan Simon from Barcelona, España

Safe

Alaska blueberry

Vaccinium alaskaense

no rights reserved, uploaded by pynklynx

Deadly Nightshade: Tall herbaceous plant (1-2m), single shiny black cherry-sized berries, star-shaped calyx, large oval leaves, sweet but dangerous taste.

Alaska blueberry: Low woody shrub, berries in clusters with crown/remnant calyx ring, sweet taste.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Snuqlxlayk

References (8)

• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 96 (As Vaccinium alaskaense)
• Fl. N.W. Amer. 412. 1901 - (As Vaccinium alaskaense)
• Heller, C. A., 1962, Wild Edible and Poisonous Plants of Alaska. Univ. of Alaska Extension Service. p 50
• Kuhnlein, H. V., et al, 2009, Indigenous Peoples' food systems. FAO Rome p 33
• MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 114

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