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Scientific Name | Vaccinium caespitosum | USDA PLANTS Symbol | VACE |
Common Name | Dwarf Blueberry, Dwarf Bilberry | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 23587 |
Family | Ericaceae (Heath) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Subalpine to alpine life; ground cover in forests, along stream and pond banks. Plant: Very short shrub, often tufted; brown (not green), rounded stems, 2 to 10 inches tall. Leaves: Smooth, shiny, oblanceolate to obovate leaves 1/4 to 1-1/2 inch long, toothed edges. Inflorescence: Small cylindrical to urn-shaped nodding red, pinkish or white flowers less than 1/4-inch long. Bloom Period: July. Fruit: Blue to rarely black berries, 1/4 to 1/3-inch across; glaucous. References: "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, SEINet and US Forest Service Fire Effects Information System. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Colorado Status: Native |
Scientific Name | Vaccinium myrtillus | USDA PLANTS Symbol | VAMY2 |
Common Name | Mountain Blueberry, Bilberry, Whortleberry | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 23605 |
Family | Ericaceae (Heath) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Subalpine; dry, acid soil under conifers and rocky ridges. Plant: Spreading, branched shrub 4 to 12 inches tall; sharply angled, bright green stems. Leaves: Pointed elliptical to ovate leaves, 5/8 to 1-1/2 inches long; sharply-toothed edges. Inflorescence: Very small (~3/16-inch) urn-shaped, nodding flowers, usually pink but may also be cream or greenish-white. Fruit: Blue, round berries 3/8-inch across; not glaucous. Bloom Period: June and July. References: "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Colorado Status: Native |