Colombian blueberry, Andean blueberry
Vaccinium floribundum

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 1-2 m high. It spreads twice as wide. It produces long arching growths. The leaves are oval and dark green. They have shallow teeth. The leaves are 1.3 cm long and they are crowded along the stems. The young stems are purple-red. The flowers are rose pink and cylinder shaped. They grow along the stems of the previous year's growth. They are in tightly packed groups 5 cm long. The fruit are red berries they turn blue-black with maturity. They are 5 mm across. They are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the mountain in tropical South America between 2,800 m and 4,300 m in forest areas. It suits USDA hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Bolivia, Britain, Colombia, Ecuador, Europe, Peru, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are made into jams, drinks and pies.

Fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or cuttings. The long arching branches should be pruned to give better fruiting. It benefits by being burnt to remove excessive old growth and weeds.

Its other names

Local names

Agraz, Arando, Congama, Joyapa chiquito, Macha-macha, Manzana, Manzanilla, Mortiña, Mortiño

Synonyms

Epigynium floribundum Klotzsch; Metagonia marginata (Dunal) Nutt.; Vaccinium crenulatum Dunal; Vaccinium dasygynum S.F. Blake; Vaccinium floribundum var. floribundum; Vaccinium floribundum var. marginatum (Dunal) Sleumer; Vaccinium floribundum var. ramosissimum (Dunal) Sleumer; Vaccinium floribundum var. tatei (Rusby) Sleumer; Vaccinium leiandrum S.F.Blake; Vaccinium marginatum Dunal; Vaccinium moritzianum Klotzsch; Vaccinium moritzianum var. ovatum Klotzsch; Vaccinium mortinia Benth.; Vaccinium polystachyum Benth.; Vaccinium ramosissimum Dunal; Vaccinium tatei Rusby; Vaccinium thymifolium Klotzsch;