Velvetleaf Huckleberry

(Vaccinium myrtilloides)

Other Names:
Canadian blueberry, Common blueberry, sourtop blueberry, velvetleaf blueberry

Range:


Family:
Ericaceae – Heath or Heather family

Growth Type:
A perennial low spreading deciduous shrub. They often spread to form small thickets.

Height:
They can grow up to 2 feet tall

Leaves:
The deciduous leaves are bright green, paler underneath with velvety hairs. The leaves are smooth edged, or slightly toothed, and about 1 to 2 inches long.

Stem/Trunk:
Young stems have stiff dense bristly hairs.

Root:
Shallow root and rhizome

Flower Season:
Early Spring

Flower Appearance:
The flowers are white, bell-shaped, and are about 1/4 inch long.

Seed/Fruit:
The fruit is a small sweet bright blue to dark blue berry.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
Thie plant is fire-tolerant and is often abundant following forest fires or clear-cut logging. Vaccinium myrtilloides hybridizes in the wild with Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry).

Habitat:
Vaccinium myrtilloides grows best in open coniferous woods with dry loose acidic soils; it is also found in forested bogs and rocky areas.

Parts Used:
The berries are most often used.

Culinary Uses:
Vaccinium species are packed with vitamins, fiber, manganese, iron, and antioxidants. A 1/2 cup serving of blueberries contain 11 g carbohydrates Fruit - Eaten Fresh, dried, jellies, and jams, juiced. Huckleberries make one of the best homemade wines I have ever tasted. It is delicate, yet full bodied.
Leaves - A decoction from the leaves is good for diabetes. It contains neomyrtilicine which has been shown to reduce blood sugar.
Roots - A tea from the roots has been used to facilitate child birth. It stimulates and soothes the uterus.
The leaves and roots have astringent properties as well. Bilberries have been shown to greatly improve night vision. WWII pilots ate bilberry jam before leaving for night missions, and it improved their night vision. Subsequent studies found bilberries contain low levels of anthocyanosides which not only improve night vision, but also help with a wide range of eye problems.

The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.

Energetics
Taste: Sour
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying

Medicinal Uses:
Huckleberries and blueberries have the highest antioxidant properties of any fruit or vegetable. The anthocyanins contained in these berries have been shown to have properties effective in preventing cancer and dementia-related diseases. A link has also been found between anthocyanins and urinary tract, heart, and vision health. Regularly consuming huckleberries and blueberries may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease, high blood cholesterol and cancer. They are also proven to combat insulin resistance that has been linked to obesity and diabetes. A decoction of the leaves is said to be an excellent treatment for diabetes. A tea from the roots has been used to facilitate child birth. It stimulates and soothes the uterus.

Medicinal Actions:
Anti-Inflammatory, Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, Astringent, Bitter, Stimulant, Tonic: Cardiac, Tonic: Uterine