Velvetleaf Huckleberry
Vaccinium myrtilloides
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Vaccinium
- Species:
- Vaccinium myrtilloides
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- White, Pink, Green, Purple, Brown
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan
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
Acronicta noctivaga, Apharetra dentata, Aplectoides condita, black-banded epelis (Epelis truncataria), Cerastis tenebrifera, Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), dingy cutworm (Feltia jaculifera), Eueretagrotis perattentus, Eufidonia discospilata, Eurois astricta, Eversmann's rustic (Actebia fennica), Formosa Moth (Chrysanympha formosa), Glena cognataria, Great Brocade (Eurois occulta), Hemipachnobia monochromataea, Hyppa xylinoides, Hyppa xylinoides segreg. 1, Iris Angle Shades (Phlogophora iris), Metalepsis fishii, Norman's dart (Xestia normanianus), Polia detracta, Polia purpurissata, Protolampra brunneicollis, Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), speckled cutworm (Lacanobia subjuncta), Spiramater lutra, Streaked Salt Marsh Moth (Platarctia parthenos), Syngrapha epigaea, Syngrapha microgamma, Trichordestra tacoma, Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Xestia oblata, Young's Dart (Xestia youngii), Interior Sulphur (Colias interior)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.0 - 5.5 (strongly acidic to acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in open, dry woodlands and clearings
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