Vaccinium ashei

A deciduous shrub reaching 5 m tall, hardy to UK zone 8. Non-self-fertile with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Grows in light sandy to medium loamy, well-drained soil with mild to very acid pH. Tolerates semi-shade or full sun, prefers moist soil, and can tolerate drought conditions.

Description

A shrub. It grows 0.9-4.5 m tall and spreads 2 m wide. It mostly loses its leaves but can keep most leaves in mild climates. The leaves are broad and have teeth along the edge. The leaves are papery and 4-8 cm long. The flowers develop while the shrub is almost leafless. The flowers are white or light red. The fruit is purple-black and 12 mm wide. The fruit is edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit, up to 16mm in diameter, can be eaten raw or cooked. Flavour is often insipid, though some forms are well-flavoured. The fruit is frequently used in preserves and can also be dried for later use.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. They can also be cooked, dried or used in muffins, jams, pies, pancakes and other foods. The can be used for jellies and juices.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. The chilling requirement is 400-500 chilling hours per winter with temperatures below 7°C. They need an acid soil with pH of 4.5-5.5. They need good drainage and a sandy soil. They are heat and drought resistant. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Where It Grows

Australia, Brazil, North America, South 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. Plants are not hardy in all parts of Britain, they should succeed outdoors in the milder areas, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Often cultivated for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties. Plants have a low chill-factor and so succeed in areas nearer the equator such as Florida. There is some confusion over this name with some authorities seeing it as no more than a synonym for V. virgatum. For the time being it will be kept here as a distinct species. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. Established plants are drought resistant. 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. Softwood cuttings can be taken in May or June in partial shade in a medium containing pine bark. 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

It is a hexaploid plant.

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

Rabbiteye Blueberry

Vaccinium ashei

(c) elhughes30, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by elhughes30

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

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

Synonyms

References (16)

• Cull, B.W., 1995, Fruit Growing in Warm Climates. Reed. p 150
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1453
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 96
• Flowerdew, B., 2000, Complete Fruit Book. Kyle Cathie Ltd., London. p 66
• Glowinski, L., 1999, The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia. Lothian. p 158

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