The Flora of N. America[] is treating the species Vaccinium corymbosum in a much looser sense than many other treatments. Many related taxa, including this one, which are treated as distinct elsewhere, are treated as variants and reduced to synonymy of Vaccinium corymbosum. Until we see wider acceptance of this treatment we are maintaining this species as distinct here.
To quote from the Flora of N. America:- ‘Every morphological variant of the high-bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) has been named formally at one time or another. At least 25 such taxa have been raised to specific rank; none is distinct throughout its putative range nor has the properties normally associated with biological species, including Vaccinium atrococcum and V. elliottii. See S. P. Vander Kloet (1980) for a complete list of synonyms. Feral populations readily become established wherever cultivars have been planted, e.g., Britain, British Columbia, Japan, Missouri, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Washington, and Wisconsin[]’

Common Name: High-Bush Blueberry

General Information

Vaccinium corymbosum is an erect, deciduous shrub forming a crown of growth 2 - 3 metres tall, occasionally to 4 metres. The plant sometimes produces suckers, especially if disturbed or burnt, and can form dense colonies[, , ].
This species is the major blueberry of commerce. It is extensively cultivated in N. America and many cultivars have been developed for fruit production. The plant also has a range of medicinal benefits, and is used in landscaping, especially where it might be planted in wet places and to attract wildlife[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Ontario to Nova Scotia, south to Texas and Florida..

Habitat

Open swamps, bogs, sandy margins of lakes, ponds, and streams, flatwoods, gray-birch scrub, pine barrens, mires, bay heads, upland ericaceous meadows, upland woods, ravines, mountain summits; at elevations from sea level to 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Vaccinium corymbosum is hardy to about -25°c[].
Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[, ]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[]. Requires shelter from strong winds[].
Often cultivated for its edible fruit in America[], it is the most common and successful blueberry to be cultivated in Britain[]. There are many named varieties[]. A very variable plant, it usually blossoms freely in Britain[].
Plants are partially self-sterile, a single plant does produce fruit but more than one variety is required in order to obtain heavier yields of fruit[, ].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
Does not grow well with blackberries or raspberries[].
Closely related to Vaccinium atrococcum and Vaccinium virgatum[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. It is usually sweet and juicy, though the flavour can be variable[]. As well as being eaten raw, it is prepared in a wide range of ways - it can be smoke-dried, sun-dried, boiled, and baked in pies, pastries, cereals, jellies etc[, ]. The fruit can also be dried and used like raisins[]. The fruit is rich in vitamin C[], and has one of the highest concentrations of iron of the temperate fruits[]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[].

A tea is made from the leaves and dried fruit[].

Medicinal

The fruit is a rich source of micro-nutrients and, in addition to being edible, is said to have many health benefits. It has a gentle laxative action and, if taken regularly, is said to improve the circulation, especially of the small blood vessels, which can help prevent eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. Other conditions that can benefit include ulcers, urinary tract infections, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fever, varicose veins and haemorrhoids[].

The dried fruit and leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

The leaves are astringent, antiinflammatory, blood purifier. An infusion is used in the treatment of sore throats and other inflammations of the mouth or mucous membranes of the throat, as well as in the treatment of infant's colic[, , ].

Traditionally, the smoke from burning dried blueberry flowers is inhaled as a treatment of insanity[].


The fruit is high in fiber and vitamin C. It also contains ellagitannins, flavonols such as quercetin and kaempferol, catechins, and phenolic acids. Other constituents include anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins, beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid, glutathione, and alpha-tocopherol[].
The anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins have antioxidant activity and promote blood circulation, especially of the small blood vessels. However, there is some evidence that when eaten as part of the whole fruit, they may not be well absorbed[].
Trials suggest that the antioxidant effects of blueberry extracts might have anticancer activity and potentially reduce normal oxidative cellular damage that occurs with aging[].
Ethyl acetate extracts of blueberry fruit inhibit ornithine decarboxylase, which is a key enzyme in tumor progression[].
Blueberry, like its relative, the cranberry, also appears to prevent bacterial adhesion to the bladder and bacterial colonization[]

Other Uses

The juice contains a high level of manganese and can be used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[]. Seeds from plants in the southern portion of its range have thick seed coats and require a period of cold stratification before germination. Those from more northerly regions produce thinner seed coats and germinate in the autumn after dispersal[].
Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of greenwood, May/early summer in a shady position in a compost that contains some peat[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[]. Slow and difficult.
Cuttings of mature wood, harvested in late autumn and stored in a fridge then planted in a frame in early spring.
Layering in late summer or early autumn[]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[]. Takes 18 months[].
Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[].