Lowbush Blueberry
Vaccinium angustifolium
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Prince Edward I., United States
Ryan Hodnett
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Vaccinium
- Species:
- Vaccinium angustifolium
- USDA Symbol:
- VAAN
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Abagrotis placida, American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera), Andromeda Underwing (Catocala andromedae), Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Caloptilia vacciniella, ⚠️Canadian sphinx (Sphinx canadensis), Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), dingy cutworm (Feltia jaculifera), distant dagger moth (Acronicta distans), Eueretagrotis perattentus, Eurois astricta, Eversmann's rustic (Actebia fennica), Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), Glena cognataria, gray swordgrass (Xylena cineritia), Great Brocade (Eurois occulta), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Hyppa xylinoides, Itame brunneata, Lacinipolia lorea, Norman's dart (Xestia normanianus), northern sallow (Brachionycha borealis), Pangrapta decoralis, pawpaw sphinx (Dolba hyloeus), Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Pink-spotted Dart Moth (Pseudohermonassa bicarnea), Polia detracta, Polia purpurissata, Protolampra brunneicollis, Saw-winged Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena serrata), Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), Shadowy arches (Drasteria adumbrata), Sidus sallow (Eupsilia sidus), speckled cutworm (Lacanobia subjuncta), Syngrapha epigaea, Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis), Variable Owlet Moth (Phalaenostola metonalis), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Xestia oblata, Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus), Interior Sulphur (Colias interior)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus) Moths:Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Slender clearwing (Hemaris gracilis) Butterflies:Eastern Green Hairstreak (Callophrys niphon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, bees, butterflies
- Fall Color:
- red, bronze
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire. Historically maintained by periodic burning in barrens and heathlands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.2 - 5.2 (strongly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in well-drained, acidic soils typical of pine barrens and rocky outcrops
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination and benefit from cold-moist stratification. Surface sow on acidic peat-based medium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are mixed with an equal amount of moist perlite or vermiculite in a sealable plastic bag. Water is added to moisten the mixture. The bag is then placed in a refrigerator or cold garage for at least 83 days. Seeds can be cold stored until planted for up to 3 years.
Establishment: Seeds are collected by hand from locally native plants within the eastern central Upper Peninsula. The plant flowers from May to July and the seed is harvested from July to August. The plant thrives in dry, sandy, open, and/or shaded ground with oaks, pines, and or aspen, but also in low places, including peatlands. It thrives after clearing or burning and forms colonies.
Source: npn.rngr.net