This species is closely related to Vaccinium caespitosum and sometimes confused with it[].

Common Name: Alpine Blueberry

General Information

Vaccinium deliciosum is a low-growing, deciduous shrub usually less than 40cm tall. It has a spreading, rhizomatous rootstock the plant usually forming small clumps to extensive open colonies[, ].
The plant produces one of the tastiest of the blueberry fruits and is commonly harvested from the wild for this fruit, which is mainly eaten locally but is also sometimes traded. The plant is also used medicinally.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - British Colombia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California

Habitat

Montane regions[]. Alpine meadows, subalpine coniferous woods, talus slopes; at elevations from 600 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Vaccinium deliciosum is a very cold-tolerant species. However, it is native to higher elevations and can be difficult to grow at low elevations[].
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[].
Vaccinium deliciosum produces especially flavorful berries. Research at the University of Idaho and Washington State University identified 31 aromatic flavor compounds in the fruits[].
Despite its outstanding flavour and large fruit size, this species is harvested less than is Vaccinium membranaceum because it has a smaller range and is less abundant there than its black-fruited congener[].
Although rhizomatous, Vaccinium deliciosum has a dense root system and transplants easily[].
In the autumn, after the fruit harvest, it was common for native N. American people to burn the areas where the plants grew in order to create a favourable habitat. The fire stimulates new growth, it also creates sunny openings in the forest and edges that foster the rapid spread of nutritious herbs and shrubs that favour the huckleberries[].
Grows well in a moist position in a rock garden[]. Plants spread rapidly when growing in a suitable position[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
This species is closely allied to Vaccinium caespitosum[, ].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. When fully ripe it is sugary sweet with a delightful aroma and a full rich flavour[]. Best eaten out of hand[], the fruit can also be dried for later use[]. Traditionally, the surplus berries were dried slowly over a fire kept smoldering in a rotten log - this method of drying the berries has been shown to preserves the bulk of the Vitamin C content in the fruits[]. The blue, sometimes dull black, maroon, or red fruits are 9 - 13mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The leaves and finely chopped stems contain quinic acid, a former therapeutic agent used in the treatment of gout - it is said to inhibit uric acid formation but has never been widely used because of mixed clinical results[].
The leaves have been widely used to lower or modify blood sugar levels. Many herbalists maintain that bilberry-leaf tea may be useful in stabilizing blood sugar levels in cases of diabetes, and medical research has shown that consumption of the leaf extract decreases blood sugar levels shortly after administration. Taken on regular basis, bilberry tea will gradually help alleviate both glycosuria and hyperglycemia and has a benign but useful effect as an adjunct treatment to diabetes mellitus[].
The leaves are believed also to stimulate appetite, and have astringent and antiseptic qualities that are useful in the treatment of urinary disorders[].

Other Uses

None known

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[]. Temperatures of 18° (for 12 hours) during the day and 13°c (for 12 hours) are
ideal for germination[]. 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.
Rhizome cuttings in early spring or late summer and autumn. Dig up the rhizomes and cut them into lengths of 10cm or
longer. Place the cuttings in vermiculite at 21°c. Once the roots are established and meristematic activity is initiated, the small cuttings may be moved to individual pots with a peat sand soil mixture (1:1) potting soil. The soil should be kept fairly moist. When the plants are of a desired size, they can be planted in areas with moist soils and partial shade[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[]. Slow and difficult.
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[].