Plant Details

Vaccinium myrtilloides

Sourtop Blueberry, Velvetleaf huckleberry

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Vaccinium myrtilloides.

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Common names

14 names · 10 languages
EnglishYour language
  • low bush blueberry[1]
  • Sourtop Blueberry
  • velvetleaf blueberry[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Velvetleaf huckleberry
Other languages (9)
Dutch
  • Grootbladige blauwe bosbes
French
  • Airelle à feuilles étalées
  • bleuet fausse-myrtille[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 加拿大蓝莓[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 加拿大藍莓[1]
Estonian
  • kanada mustikas[1]
Ojibwe
Russian
  • Черника канадская[1]
Slovak
  • čučoriedka zamatová[1]
Swedish
  • sötblåbär[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Vaccinium myrtilloides — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • velvetleaf blueberry — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.
  • low bush blueberry — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.
  • kanada mustikas — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.
  • Черника канадская — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.
  • Bingomin — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.
  • bleuet fausse-myrtille — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.
  • 加拿大藍莓 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.
  • 加拿大蓝莓 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.
  • sötblåbär — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.
  • čučoriedka zamatová — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 52741; Vaccinium myrtilloides.

General information

Scientific name: Vaccinium myrtilloides
Accepted name (Kew): Vaccinium myrtilloides Michx. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Ericaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Vaccinium (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Sourtop Blueberry, Velvetleaf huckleberry
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.60 m
Spread: 0.60 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: Deciduous

Leaf retention described in the New England flora.

Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3-7
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium)
pH:
Acidic
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Flowers, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
None

Description

Fruit - fresh or cooked. These berries are sourer than most blueberries and have a pleasant spiciness. They can be eaten fresh or used in pies, jams, and other dishes. The berries can also be dried for later consumption. They have a diameter of about 8 mm. The flowers can be eaten raw or used to make jam. Tea can be made from the leaves.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/07
Harvest ends: 15/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 189682; name ID 2459130; Vaccinium L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 188341; name ID 2457644; Vaccinium myrtilloides Michx..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Native Plant Trust; Go Botany Vaccinium myrtilloides — Go Botany
    Supports: Foliage
    Relevant sections
    • Foliage: Leaf duration

    Source checked on .