Vaccinium stamineum has been subject to an inordinate amount of splitting, especially by E.L.Greene and W.W.Ashe. It is treated here in a wider sense[].

Common Name: Deerberry

General Information

Vaccinium stamineum is a much-branched deciduous shrub (to semi-evergreen in the south of its range), usually growing 60 - 120cm tall, though specimens up to 500cm have been recorded. The plant will often produce suckers if disturbed, forming small to extensive colonies in the wild[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is said to have considerable horticultural potential, since it has large fruit, is adapted to upland habitats, and has shown considerable tolerance for drought[]. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its floral display[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eastern N. America - Ontario to Massachusets, south to Texas, Georgia and Florida

Habitat

Sandy, well-drained soil, xeric communities such as dry oak woods, pine barrens, savannahs, dry pine ridges, sparsely wooded bluffs, sand hills, thickets, clearings (usually on acidic substrates, sometimes on limestone); at elevations to 1,700 metres[]

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Vaccinium stamineum 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[, ]. Plants are often found on dry soils in the wild[]. 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[]. Another report says that it prefers a position in partial shade[]. Requires shelter from strong winds[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant and will usually mature a full crop even in a drought[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
A polymorphic species, the plants are very variable in leaf shape. It is closely related to V. Neglectum[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Excellent for making pies, jams, and jellies[]. Unpalatable[]. The quality varies from shrub to shrub[]. When cooked and served cold they are considered to be delicious with a flavour suggesting gooseberry and cranberry sauce with the slightly bitter aftertaste of grapefruit marmalade[]. The greenish to yellowish berries can be round or pear-shaped, around 8 - 10mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

None known

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[].