California Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)

Huckleberry often looks redder than the plants around it, since it has red stems and can have a reddish cast to its leaves.  The leaves are thick, shiny, and serrated.  Huckleberry flowers and berries are a subtle treat.

January

 

 

April

 

 

July

 

 

October

 

 

Leaves always present

 

Pink Flowers

Black Berries

 

 

Field ID Tips

·         Leaves 1” long, pointy.  Leaf edges serrated. Leaf stiff and shiny.  Red often shows through the green.

·         Flowers small, pink and white, hanging downward in groups.

·         Early fruit is red, turning black.

·         Stems often red.

 

huckle berry Seed Thumb - South Mt Tam - Jan 2012

 

Evergreen Huckleberry Leaf Thumb

 

Huckleberry Flower-2-Vaccinium ovatum -May 7 2012-2

 

 

Links:

Calphotos

Wikipedia

Mountain Home to West Point Shrubs

 

 

 

Huckleberry-410-Vaccinium ovatum -2011-02-09-3

 

Huckleberry-Vaccinium ovatum -May 8 2012 Mt Tam-3

 

<<<NEED PICTURE OF BLACK BERRIES>>>