Vaccinium ovatum
SKU:
CA$0.00
per item
Common name: Evergreen huckleberry, box huckleberry
Vaccinium ovatum is an broadleaf evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Coast from California north to BC. It has pale pink flowers in spring, followed by berries that start out red but change to blue-black by late summer. Birds, animals and humans find them delicious to eat. They were introduced into cultivation by David Douglas.
The common name 'huckleberry' comes from a low German word meaning 'hip', in reference to the plant's jointed stem structure.
Flower photo by John Rusk, via Wikimedia Commons
Immature red berry photo by Hughie Jones
Ripe berry photo by Midge Oke (cultivar is 'Thunderbird')