Velvetleaf Huckleberry
Vaccinium myrtilloides
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Prince Edward I., United States
Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Vaccinium
- Species:
- Vaccinium myrtilloides
- USDA Symbol:
- VAMY
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- 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
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)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, bears
- Fall Color:
- red, orange
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire. Often increases in abundance post-burn in boreal and jack pine forests.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Sow on surface of acidic medium and keep moist.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI