Dryland blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum, Hort. Kew. 2: 10 (1789))

Family: Ericaceae

Author: Aiton

Bibliography: Hort. Kew. 2: 10 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vaccinium

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.

Description

The Dryland Blueberry, scientifically known as Vaccinium pallidum, is a notable member of the Ericaceae family. This plant holds historical significance with its first formal description being published in 1789 in “Hortus Kewensis,” authored by William Aiton.

Widely distributed across parts of southeastern Canada through to North Carolina and the eastern United States, the Dryland Blueberry thrives in varied terrains, often in dry, wooded, and rocky environments. Its natural habitat preference underscores the common name, highlighting its adaptability to less fertile soils where moisture may be limited.

Visually, the Dryland Blueberry is distinguished by its foliage and fruit. The leaves of the Vaccinium pallidum are typically small, exhibiting a delicate, pale green hue. In spring and early summer, the plant produces small, bell-shaped flowers that transition into blueberries by late summer. These berries are not only a crucial food source for wildlife but also valued by humans for their sweet taste and nutritional benefits.

Botanically, the Dryland Blueberry shares many traits with other members of the Ericaceae family, such as its preference for acidic soil and the characteristic structure of its flowers and fruits. This plant’s resilience and adaptability make it a subject of interest in botanical studies, particularly those focused on plant survival in xeric (dry) conditions.

Overall, Vaccinium pallidum exemplifies the fascinating interplay between plant species and their environments, revealing the delicate balance that sustains both flora and fauna in diverse ecosystems.

Common Names

Eng: blue ridge blueberry, blueberry, dryland blueberry, hillside blueberry, hillside lowbush blueberry, late lowbush blueberry, pale blueberry, hilllside lowbush blueberry
Swe: bergsblåbär
Fra: airelle pâle
En: Dryland blueberry, Hillside blueberry, Hillside lowbush blueberry, Blue Ridge blueberry, Late lowbush blueberry, Blueberry, BLUERIDGE BLUEBERRY, Pale blueberry, Hilllside lowbush blueberry
Fr: Airelle pâle
Sv: Bergsblåbär
: Blue ridge blueberry

Synonyms

• Vaccinium subcordatum ((Small) Uphof)
• Cyanococcus margaretiae ((Ashe) Small)
• Vaccinium vacillans f. mollifolium (Ashe)
• Vaccinium pallidum var. crinitum ((Fernald) Mohlenbr.)
• Vaccinium pennsylvanicum (Torr.)
• Vaccinium viride (Ashe)
• Cyanococcus tallapusae (Coville ex Small)
• Cyanococcus subcordatus (Small)
• Vaccinium tallapusae ((Coville ex Small) Uphof)
• Vaccinium margaretiae (Ashe)
• Vaccinium corymbosum var. pallidum ((Aiton) A.Gray)
• Vaccinium vacillans (Kalm ex Torr.)
• Cyanococcus pallidus ((Aiton) Small)
• Cyanococcus vacillans ((Kalm ex Torr.) Rydb.)
• Vaccinium torreyanum (Camp)
• Vaccinium pennsylvanicum f. leucocarpum (W.Deane)
• Vaccinium vacillans f. roseum (Farw.)
• Vaccinium vacillans var. missouriense (Ashe)
• Vaccinium vacillans var. crinitum (Fernald)
• Vaccinium vacillans var. columbianum (Ashe)
• Vaccinium liparum ((Small) Uphof)
• Cyanococcus liparus (Small)
• Vaccinium missouriense ((Ashe) Ashe)
• Vaccinium altomontanum (Ashe)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Amber Thornton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2020 by Bubba Crosley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2021 by Jun-tsui Fan (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Joel Hicks (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 24, 2020 by Serena boettcher (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2011 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2004 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Joel Hicks (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 16, 2021 by Richard Wilkens (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Carol Kelloff (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2013 by EOL − Erin Faulkner (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 31, 2022 by Jennifer Summey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2021 by Jun-tsui Fan (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by Brad Kelley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2021 by Alison Brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2021 by Alison Brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 12, 2011 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 12, 2011 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 14, 2012 by EOL − Marie Studer (cc-by)

Taken Jun 7, 2012 by EOL − Charlie Hohn (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Carol Kelloff (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2013 by EOL − Erin Faulkner (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by Brad Kelley (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2882895)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:317268-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vaccinium pallidum Aiton)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Shrub

Growth