Vaccinium hirsutum

Buckley

Hairy huckleberry, Woolly berry

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit 136 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Vaccinium hirsutum is a species of flowering plant in the heath family known by the common name hairy blueberry. This species is endemic to a small area in the southern Appalachian Mountains, where it is only known from a few counties in eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia, and the Carolinas. Vaccinium hirsutum is native to dry oak-pine ridges, where it can be locally abundant. It is a shrub up to 75 cm (28 inches) tall, forming large colonies. Leaves are rather thick, elliptical, densely hairy, up to 62 mm (2 1/2 inches) long. Vaccinium hirsutum produces white, cylindrical flowers in late spring, followed by hairy, black berries in the summer.

Description

A small shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. The branches are fine and green. They can be 90 cm long. The plant develops suckers and forms thickets. The plant is covered with hairs. The leaves are oval and deep green. They are 3-6 cm long. They do not have teeth. The flowers are cylinder shaped and 5-12 mm long. The fruit are black berries. They are hairy but edible and sweet. They are 6 mm across.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Opinions on the taste differ — some describe it as sweet and pleasant, while others find it gritty and insipid. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It does well in a shady position. It is fairly cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to -10°C.

Where It Grows

Britain, Europe, 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. Plants are self-sterile, at least two plants from different sources must be grown if seed is required. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions. A freely suckering shrub when well-grown in a moist soil. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Sow seed in late winter in a greenhouse using a lime-free potting mix, barely covering the seed. Stored seed may need up to 3 months of cold stratification. Alternatively, sow fresh seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once they reach about 5cm tall, and grow on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse through 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 and rooted 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 sources, and takes 18 months. Suckers can be divided 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

Deadly Nightshade

Atropa belladonna

Joan Simon from Barcelona, España

Safe

Hairy huckleberry

Vaccinium hirsutum

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

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

Synonyms

Cyanococcus hirsutus.

References (4)

Amer. J. Sci. Arts 45:175. 1843
Lyle, S., 2006, Discovering fruit and nuts. Land Links. p 223
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Trehane, J., 2004, Blueberries, Cranberries and Other Vacciniums. Timber Press. p 229