Vaccinium myrsinites

Lamarck

Florida Evergreen Blueberry

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit 6,305 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Vaccinium myrsinites is a species of flowering plant in the heath family known by the common name shiny blueberry. It is native to the southeastern United States from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. It may occur as far west as Louisiana.

Description

A small shrub. It grows 45-90 cm high. The twigs are green and young leaves are very bright green. The leaves are small and leathery. They are 5-12 mm long by 5 mm wide. The flowers are round or urn shaped and 5-8 mm long. They are white with tinges of pink. The fruit are round shiny berries. They are 1.2 cm across and black.

Edible Uses

The fruit, about 6mm in diameter, can be eaten raw or used cooked in pies and similar dishes.

Traditional Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw. They are also used in pies.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are analgesic, febrifuge, and ophthalmic. An infusion has been used to treat colds, sun sickness, eye diseases, headaches, high fever, and diarrhoea.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It grows naturally in full sun in Florida. It grows well on dry sandy soils.

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 not very hardy in many parts of Britain but they grow well south and west of London. 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

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 for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Half-ripe cuttings, 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

Florida Evergreen Blueberry

Vaccinium myrsinites

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

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

Synonyms

V. nitidum.

Also Known As

Shiny blueberry

References (6)

Encycl. 1:73. 1783
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 98
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 894
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 584
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Show all 6 references