Common Name: Dryland Blueberry

General Information

Vaccinium pallidum is an erect, deciduous shrub usually growing 30 - 120cm tall from a rhizomatous rootstock and often forming small to extensive, open colonies[, , , ]. On some poor sites the plant may be less than 10cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. The fruits are harvested on a commercial basis in southeastern N. America, though in many areas, quantities of berries are difficult to collect because the fruit ripens over a relatively long period of time[, ]. An attractive plant, it is sometimes grown in gardens as an ornamental, fruit-producing plant, where it can also be used as a ground cover[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - southern Ontario to Maine, south to Oklahoma, Mississippi and Georgia

Habitat

Woods, thickets and clearings in dryish situations[]. Dry, open oak or oak- hickory woods, open pine woods, ledges, abandoned farmland or cut-over deciduous forests; at elevations from sea level to 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Vaccinium pallidum is quite cold tolerant, surviving winters with temperatures falling to -10°c or more. It grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 1,000 - 1,200mm[].
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 said to favour dryish situations in the wild[, ]. Although favouring sandy soils in the wild, the plant is also found on heavy clays[]. 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[]. Established plants are somewhat drought tolerant[].
Plants often form extensive colonies in the wild[].
The plant is resistant to fire - even if top growth is killed back, it usually resprouts freely from the base[]. It is found in greater abundance in areas where fires are more frequent, perhaps around every 10 years on average[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
This species hybridizes in the wild with many other Vaccinium species including Vaccinium darrowii, Vaccinium boreale, Vaccinium tenellum, Vaccinium fuscatum, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium elliottii, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Vaccinium atrococcum, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium caesariense, and Vaccinium virgatum[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Very sweet, it is considered to be one of the best tasting blueberries[, ]. The blue-black berries are around 4 - 8mm in diameter[].

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[]

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant forms a good ground cover, and is known to retard soil erosion on steep slopes[].

Other Uses

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

The plant has shown promise for use in breeding hardy, early-ripening, fruit-producing cultivars. It has shown
particular promise for developing commercial blueberries adapted to upland mineral soils[].

The wood is soft and white - it has no known commercial value[].

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[].