Vaccinium reticulatum

Sm.

Oheloberries

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit 2,360 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Vaccinium reticulatum, known as ʻōhelo ʻai in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering plant in the heather family, Ericaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. It grows at altitudes of 640–3,700 m (2,100–12,140 ft) on lava flows and freshly disturbed volcanic ash on Maui and Hawaiʻi, and less commonly on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Molokaʻi. Adaptations to volcanic activity include the ability to survive ash falls of over 25 cm (10 in) depth.

Description

A shrub. It can grow to 1 m tall. The leaves are arranged in spirals. They are oval and leathery and 1-3 cm long. The young leaves are red. The flowers are bell shaped and 8-12 mm long. They can be red, yellow or pink. The fruit is 8-14 mm across and red, to orange.

Edible Uses

The berry is edible and flavorful. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) can be obtained by the means of V. pahalae in vitro cell culture.

Medicinal Uses

To treat stomach pains, the leaf buds, leaves and fruit are combined with the leaf buds and leaves of Canavalia cathartica or Dioclea wilsonii; the leaf buds, leaves, and fruit of Rumex spp.; the root of Curcuma longa; coconut (Cocos nucifera); and white sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) by pounding into a mash. The mixture is strained with Cyperus javanicus and drunk once in the morning and again in the evening.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 640-3,700 m above sea level in Hawaii. It grows on volcanic ash.

Where It Grows

Hawaii, Pacific

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

Oheloberries

Vaccinium reticulatum

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

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