Black huckleberry
Gaylussacia baccata

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It loses its leaves in the winter. It grows 1 m tall and spreads 1 m wide. The flowers are dull red and urn shaped. The fruit are round and shiny. They are about 5 mm across.

There are about 42 Gaylussacia species in tropical America. The fruit are edible but sometimes have many seeds. Larger kinds have been selected for cultivation.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Canada it grows in dry rocky or sandy soils. It also grows in woodlands and swamps. It suits hardiness zone 3-7.

Countries/locations it is found in

Britain, Canada, Europe, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They can be used in preserves or cooked with sugar. They are used in pies and jams. They are also used for wine. They can be mixed with four or cornmeal and made into bread.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Andromeda baccata Wangenh.;