Vaccinium scoparium

Botanical Description

Vaccinium scoparium is a low-growing deciduous shrub forming clusters of stems 7 - 20cm tall, occasionally to 30cm; the plant spreads freely by means of rhizomes and can form extensive colonies[ 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. ]. The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The berries were much-liked and gathered in quantity by the native American peoples - harvesting was probably done using wooden or fish-bone combs. The small fruit size, low yields, and difficult harvesting make commercial prospects for the plant questionable[ 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. ]. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens[ 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ].