Vaccinium elliottii Chapm.

Elliott's Blueberry; Mayberry

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Elliott's Blueberry is a native shrub in the Heath family (Ericaceae). It is found throughout Alabama. Elliott's Blueberry occurs in sandhills, in scrub oak woods, in dry pine or mixed pine/hardwood forests, in mesic forests, and along streams. It often forms thickets. Elliott's Blueberry is a multi-trunked shrub with a bushy, rounded form. The younger stems are green in color. Plants are generally from 4-7 feet in height, but may reach 10-12 feet on occasion. It has alternate, deciduous leaves that are elliptical in outline and have serrate margins. The leaves are small (1-2 cm long, 5-10 mm broad) and tardily deciduous. The leaves often become bright scarlet red and remain on the bush late into the winter. Flowers are produced in fascicles of 2-6 on wood of the previous season’s growth. Flowers are produced before or with the emergence of new leaves. The flowers are elongated bell-shaped (urceolate) and white or pink in color. The fruit is a black berry that may be glaucous. Elliott's Blueberries are readily consumed by a variety of wildlife and by humans. In rural parts of Alabama they are often called “huckleberries” to separate them from their larger, blue fruited relatives. The twigs of Elliott's Blueberry are an important browse for deer. This species is sometimes available from native wildflower nurseries. It prefers full to partial sun, and acidic soil. Plants often sucker and these can be separated and moved to form new plants. To make picking the fruit easier, prune the plant after fruit ripen to prevent it from becoming too tall.--A. Diamond

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Native

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