Alaska blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry
Vaccinium alaskaense
Family: Ericaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It is like the Black Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) but has more angled twigs, fewer hairs along the veins and fewer, darker berries. It is a shrub that loses its leaves during the year. It grows 150 cm tall. The bark on older branches is grey and yellow-green on twigs. The leaves are oval and pointed. They can be smooth or have fine teeth. The flowers are pink and urn shaped. The flowers occur singly and hand down. The fruit are bluish-black berries and can have a waxy coating.
There are about 450 Vaccinium species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is very hardy. It grows in moist conifer forests. It also grows along shaded stream banks.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten fresh or dried. They are used in pies. They are canned, frozen or used for making jam and jelly.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Snuqlxlayk