Common Name: Evergreen Huckleberry

General Information

Vaccinium ovatum is a much-branched evergreen shrub usually growing 40 - 120cm tall, especially in sunny positions, but sometimes reaching 400cm or more in woodlands. The plant usually forms small clumps of growth, sometimes suckering to form a colony[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. Large quantities of the fruit are harvested annually, mainly on a local basis but some is used commercially for pie fillings etc[]. The plant is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can also be used as a ground cover or low hedge. The foliage is useful for floral decoration, and is cut in such quantity from wild stands that the species is becoming scarce in some areas[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Western N. America - British Columbia to California

Habitat

Dry slopes and sandy heathy places from near the sea to 800 metres[]. Edges of coniferous forests, also epiphytic on trunks of redwoods; at elevations up to 30 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Vaccinium ovatum is a very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures falling to at least -15°c[]. Young growth in spring, however, is sometimes cut back by late frosts[]
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[, ]. Plants are often found in the wild on humus-rich soils that are low in nutrients[]. 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, but grows and fruits better in woodland conditions[]. Plants are tolerant of deep shade, but do not fruit well in such conditions[]. Most species require shelter from strong winds[], but judging by the native range of this species it might succeed in maritime exposure[]. Established plants are quite drought tolerant[].
A very ornamental plant[], it is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[]. One report says that it does not fruit freely in Britain[], but a shrub growing in the shade of oak trees at the RHS gardens in Wisley was seen to be heavy with fruit in the autumns of 1987 and 1988[]. A shade loving plant, growing well in a woodland[].
The var 'Saporosum' is said to be a good fruiting form with large, juicy, pear-shaped fruits[, ].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[, , , , , ]. Somewhat sweet but slightly dry[, ]. The fruit is quite palatable but is nothing special[]. The flavour is said to improve after a frost[]. A strong flavour, they are usually cooked in pies, preserves etc[, ]. The fruit will often hang on the bush until early winter[]. Traditionally, the fruits tended to be ignored until most other fresh fruits had disappeared, then they would often be harvested in quantity[]. The black or blue berries are around 6 - 8mm in diameter[].

A tea is made from the leaves and dried fruit[]. The leaves and berries are high in vitamin C.[]

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaves and sugar have been given to a mother after childbirth to help her regain her strength[].
A decoction of the leaves has been used in the treatment of diabetes[].

The leaves and finely chopped stems contain quinic acid, a former therapeutic for gout said to inhibit uric acid formation but never widely used because of mixed clinical results[].
The leaves have been widely used to lower or modify blood sugar levels. Many herbalists maintain that huckleberry 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, huckleberry tea will gradually help alleviate both glycosuria and hyperglycemia and appears to have a benign, but useful effect as an adjunct treatment to diabetes mellitus[].
The leaves are believed also to stimulate appetite, and have astringent antiseptic and carminative qualities that are useful in the treatment of urinary disorders[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be grown as an ornamental ground cover under acid-loving shrubs and trees[]. It can also be used to form a hedge[].

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[]. 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 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[].