Farkleberry

Vaccinium arboreum

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Ericaceae
Genus:
Vaccinium
Species:
Vaccinium arboreum

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
20-40 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may, jun
Bloom Colors:
White
Evergreen Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

Keystone Species Ranking

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

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Coptodisca matheri, Zomaria interruptolineana, Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, well-drained soil
pH:
4.5 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers nutrient-poor conditions

Germination Information

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

Notes: Seeds may require light for germination.

Source: OpenAI GPT-4o