Ericaceae
Vaccinium alaskense

Alaska Huckleberry

Erect to spreading shrub with older gray bark and new yellowish green twigs with angled edges. Leaves deciduous, 1–2 in. long, oval to egg-shaped, dark green on upper side, lighter below. Single flowers hang from base of leaves, appearing when leaves are nearly full size. Pinkish to bronze flowers are widely rounded urns with protruding style. Edible blue or purplish black berries about 1/3 in. diameter with no powdery coating. Grows in moist forest openings from sea level to subalpine. Very similar V. ovalifolium has pink flowers longer than broad, powdery coated berries.

  • Rarity: Locally Common
  • Flowering Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
  • Life Cycle: Perennial
  • Height: to 6 feet
  • Habitat: West-Side Forest, Subalpine
  • Found In: Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, N Cascades Np, Crater Lake Np
  • Native: Yes

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