University of Alberta Museums Search

Short clusters at branch tips; cylindrical bells, 3-5 mm long; greenish white or pink/purple tinge (Johnson et al., 1995). Sepals triangular, 5 lobes (Moss, 1983). Stamens 5; anther base apical; gynoecium syncarpous (Simpson, 2010). Appear when leaves half mature; awnless anther (E-Flora BC). Petals 2-5 mm long.

2n=24 (Moss, 1983). Roots tend have endotrophic mycorrhizae (Simpson, 2010). Chipewyan cooked and dried blueberries for winter storage, later eaten by boiling or pounding into pemmican; also used in teas for headaches; Cree used for jam and to treat cancer; Woods Cree used leafy stem to prevent miscarriage, increase bleeding after childbirth, regulate menstruation, stimulate sweating; tea with stems used to prevent pregnancy (Johnson et al., 1995). Similar species: Vaccinium angustifolium: low sweet blueberry; similar habitats in SW Alberta; resembles common blueberry but leaves toothed and hairless, no hairs on twigs and fruits not covered with bloom (Johnson et al., 1995). Vaccinium caespitosum: dwarf blueberry; has shiny, bright green leaves 2-4 times longer than wide; light berries, pale grey bloom (Johnson et al., 1995).