Early lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium, Hort. Kew. 2: 11 (1789))

Family: Ericaceae

Author: Aiton

Bibliography: Hort. Kew. 2: 11 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vaccinium

Vegetable: False

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

Description

The Early Lowbush Blueberry, scientifically known as Vaccinium angustifolium, is a versatile and hardy member of the Ericaceae family. This plant is native to North America, specifically thriving in regions extending from Central and Eastern Canada down to North Carolina and even parts of the Eastern United States.

This deciduous shrub is renowned for its small stature, typically growing between six inches and two feet tall, which lends it the “lowbush” nomenclature. Despite its modest height, the Early Lowbush Blueberry is a prolific producer of sweet, aromatic berries that are a favorite among foragers and wildlife alike. The berries themselves are small, typically around a quarter inch in diameter, and ripen to a rich blue color.

One of the distinctive features of Vaccinium angustifolium is its adaptability to a wide range of soil types, although it prefers acidic conditions commonly found in the wild terrains of its native regions. The plant exhibits excellent cold tolerance, making it suitable for cultivation in colder climates where other fruit-bearing plants might struggle.

Aside from its value as a fruit-bearing plant, the Early Lowbush Blueberry is also celebrated for its ecological benefits. It serves as a critical food source for various wildlife, including bears, birds, and other small mammals. Its blossoms, which appear in late spring, are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, thereby supporting local ecosystems.

In addition to its ecological importance, Vaccinium angustifolium holds significant cultural and economic value. Indigenous peoples have long harvested these berries, incorporating them into a variety of traditional dishes. Today, the berries are still widely collected both commercially and for personal use, often featured in jams, jellies, and baked goods.

Overall, the Early Lowbush Blueberry is a resilient and valuable plant that plays a key role in both natural and human environments. Its ability to thrive in harsh conditions, coupled with its ecological and economic contributions, underscores its importance across its native range.

Common Names

Eng: blueberry, early lowbush blueberry, late sweet blueberry, low sweet blueberry, lowbush blueberry, sweet lowbush blueberry, sweethurts, upland lowbush blueberry
Fra: bleuet à feuilles étroites, airelle de pennsylvanie, airelle à feuilles étroites, bleuet, bleuet feuille-dentelée, bleuet nain, bleuets
En: Early lowbush blueberry, Low sweet blueberry, Lowbush blueberry, Late sweet blueberry, Blueberry, Sweethurts, Upland lowbush blueberry, Late Lowbush Blueberry, Sweet lowbush blueberry
Ar: عنبية ضيقة الورق
Zh: 矮叢藍莓
Et: Ahtalehine mustikas
Fi: Kanadanmustikka
Fr: Bleuet à feuilles étroites, Airelle de Pennsylvanie, Airelle à feuilles étroites, Bleuet, Bleuet feuille-dentelée, Bleuet nain, Bleuets
Vi: Việt quất bụi thấp

Synonyms

• Cyanococcus angustifolius var. laevifolius ((House) Moldenke)
• Vaccinium angustifolium var. laevifolium (House)
• Vaccinium angustifolium var. integrifolium (Lepage)
• Vaccinium angustifolium f. leucocarpum ((W.Deane) Rehder)
• Vaccinium angustifolium f. nigrum ((Alph.Wood) B.Boivin)
• Cyanococcus pensylvanicus (Rydb.)
• Cyanococcus angustifolius ((Aiton) Rydb.)
• Vaccinium pensylvanicum var. nigrum (Alph.Wood)
• Vaccinium angustifolium var. glaucescens (Benth.)
• Vaccinium lamarckii (Camp)
• Vaccinium multiflorum (Dunal)
• Vaccinium brittonii (Porter ex E.P.Bicknell)
• Vaccinium angustifolium f. chiococcum ((W.Deane) B.Boivin)
• Vaccinium angustifolium var. hypolasium (Fernald)
• Vaccinium myrtilloides f. chiococcum ((W.Deane) Fernald)
• Vaccinium angustifolium var. nigrum ((Alph.Wood) Dole)
• Vaccinium myrtilloides var. angustifolium ((Aiton) Dunal)
• Vaccinium tenellum (Pursh)
• Vaccinium minutiflorum (P.Watson)
• Vaccinium canadense f. chiococcum (W.Deane)
• Vaccinium pensylvanicum f. leucocarpum (W.Deane)
• Vaccinium salicinum (Asch.)
• Vaccinium ramulosum (Willd.)
• Vaccinium humile (Willd.)
• Vaccinium nigrum ((Alph.Wood) Britton)
• Vaccinium pensylvanicum (Lam.)

Distribution

• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Japan (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Superior National Forest (cc-by)

Taken Jun 9, 2020 by Laura Doucet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Sharon Byler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by gypsy.hiker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (gpl)

Fruit

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by DeathfireD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2019 by k lindquist (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2022 by Tiffany Belesky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2020 by Vera F (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2021 by Hollie Belcourt (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 21, 2020 by St-Pierre Rémi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2020 by Evan Duquette (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2021 by Don Churchill (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by gypsy.hiker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by gypsy.hiker (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 19, 2013 by EOL − Kent McFarland (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 26, 2013 by EOL − Bob Heitzman (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 9, 2013 by EOL − karlystrukamp (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Caleb Slemmons (cc-by)

Other

Taken May 20, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2020 by Zachary M (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 27, 2020 by Beth Holley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by Leo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2022 by Sally Sutton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2019 by Gregg Ring (cc-by-sa)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2882868)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:858831-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Subshrub, Shrub

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.7