Vaccinium amoenum
Aiton
Large-cluster blueberry, Small-flower Blueberry
wikimedia· cc0
Wikimedia Commons
wikimedia· cc0
Wikimedia Commons - Pierre-Joseph Redouté
Summary
A deciduous shrub growing to 4m tall, hardy to UK zone 5, with hermaphroditic flowers appearing May to June and insect pollination. Prefers light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soils in mildly acid to very acid pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and tolerates both moist and wet soil conditions.
Description
A deciduous shrub growing to 4m tall, hardy to UK zone 5, with hermaphroditic flowers appearing May to June and insect pollination. Prefers light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soils in mildly acid to very acid pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and tolerates both moist and wet soil conditions.
Edible Uses
The fruit, which is about 8mm in diameter, can be eaten raw or cooked.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
North America, USA,
Cultivation
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. This species is closely related to V. virgatum. 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.
Dangerous Lookalikes
This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.
Deadly Nightshade
Atropa belladonna
Joan Simon from Barcelona, España
Large-cluster blueberry
Vaccinium amoenum
Wikimedia Commons
Deadly Nightshade: Tall herbaceous plant (1-2m), single shiny black cherry-sized berries, star-shaped calyx, large oval leaves, sweet but dangerous taste.
Large-cluster blueberry: Low woody shrub, berries in clusters with crown/remnant calyx ring, sweet taste.
References (2)
- Hort. kew. 2:12. 1789
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
