Vaccinium crassifolium H.C. Andrews. Common name: Creeping Blueberry. Phenology: Apr-May; Jun-Jul. Habitat: Pine savannas, pine flatwoods, pocosin-sandhill ecotones, upland sandhills over clay pans. Distribution: This species is nearly endemic to the Carolinas, barely extending into immediately adjacent VA and GA.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: See Kirkman, Wentworth, & Ballington (1989) and Kirkman & Ballington (1990) for discussion of the systematics and ecology of this species and the closely related V. sempervirens. Vaccinium crassifolium is a diploid species, 2x=24 (Redpath et al. 2022).
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, G, GW2, RAB, Va, Rayner & Henderson (1980), Uttal (1987); = Vaccinium crassifolium Andrews ssp. crassifolium — K4; < Herpothamnus crassifolius (Andrews) Small — S; < Vaccinium crassifolium Andrews — FNA8, Luteyn et al (1996), Redpath et al (2022), Vander Kloet (1988). Basionym: Vaccinium crassifolium Andrews 1800
Links to other floras: < Vaccinium crassifolium - FNA8
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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© Bruce Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 5-8 inches
plant sale text: Creeping Blueberry is a highly ornamental evergreen groundcover that is not commonly found in cultivation. This species is occasionally seen growing in pocosin ecotones and pine barrens of the coastal plain. Each plant can reach as much as several feet in width. Creeping Blueberry has spreading branches that root wherever they touch the ground. It grows well in soils that are well drained while still retaining some moisture. Its 1/8-inch dark blue berries are attractive as well as edible.
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native range: VA, NC, SC & GA
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