Has anyone come across this type of Vaccinium when hiking in the woods?
Red flowers
Pretty! I bet the hummingbirds visit it.
Some Highbush Blueberries (V. corymbosum) have pink or pinkish flowers, but you might have found a Black Huckleberry, Gaylussacia baccata.
Considering how mixed up all the names for the different blueberries are, I'm surprised that Vaccinium isn't a synonym for Gaylussacia, but the fruit are different enough that maybe that's why they aren't called Vaccinium.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/222689/
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/images/veg/North._Dry_N_Dry_Mesic/Gaylusaccia_baccata_flowers_VK.html
http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=gaba&mode=symbol&submit.x=19&submit.y=3
typo..
This message was edited Feb 2, 2010 8:26 PM
I've studied Gaylussacia but never seen a large specimen. You may be right. I've been looking for the answer to be some kind of blueberry. Thanks for your help.
That Claypa's always a good one for the esoteric. You amaze me!!