Common Name: Small-Cluster Blueberry

General Information

Vaccinium tenellum is a low-growing, usually deciduous shrub with stems 10 - 75cm tall; the plant suckers and can form extensive but open colonies in the wild[, , ].
The plant is harveted from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Georgia and Florida, west to Mississippi.

Habitat

Dry woods[]. Dry sand hills, pine barrens, scrubby oak woods, open pine parkland, and flatwoods subject to periodic burning; at elevations up to 200 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].
Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Usually of poor taste and texture[, ]. The black berries are around 6 - 8mm 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[].