Bear Huckleberry

Gaylussacia ursina

Bear Huckleberry

Lounsberry, Alice.; Rowan, Marian Ellis Ryan

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Ericaceae
Genus:
Gaylussacia
Species:
Gaylussacia ursina

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub
Height:
4-6 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr, may
Bloom Colors:
White, Green

Native Range

United States: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
4.5 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Prefers open, sunny habitats in native range

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.

Source: OpenAI GPT-4o