Ericaceae FAMILY

Vaccinium caespitosum

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Vaccinium caespitosum is a much-banched, dwarf, deciduous shrub growing from superficial rhizomes and forming a cluster of stems usually 5 - 15cm tall, occasionally to 60cm. The plant can form dense mats of growth in the wild[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. , 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. , 1050 Title Fire Effects Information System Publication Author Website http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeNorthern and Western N. America - Alaska to Nunavut and Newfoundland, south to California, Mexico and Guatemala, New Mexico, Wisconsin and New York

HabitatDry or wet acidic sites; from sea level to 3,800 metres[ 1131 Title The Genus Vaccinium in North America Publication Author Vander Kloet S.P. Publisher Canadian Government Publishing Centre; Ottawa Year 1988 ISBN 0-660-13037-8 Description A detailed study of the genus in N. America. ]. Rocky or gravelly banks in open woods or alpine scrub[ 43 Title Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition Publication Author Fernald. M. L. Publisher American Book Co.; New York Year 1950 ISBN 0442222505 Description A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America. , 184 Title Shrubs. Publication Author Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Publisher Pan Books Year 1989 ISBN 0-330-30258-2 Description Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1,900 species and cultivars. ]. Open, usually dry habitats, from lowland to subalpine areas; at elevations from sea level to 4,500 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].