How to identify Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum)
Deerberry, also known as Squaw huckleberry, Highbush huckleberry
Deerberry boasts a statuesque form, reaching heights of 5 to 15 feet (1.5 to 4.5 meters) with an almost equal spread. Its leaves are arranged alternately, exhibiting a smooth edge and a distinctly fuzzy underside. The shrub's bark is a notable gray-brown to reddish-brown and exhibits a characteristic shreddy texture. Come spring, it adorns itself with small, white, bell-shaped flowers. By late summer or fall, it bears purplish-black berries. Deerberry has the ability to spread by runners, creating expansive clumps, and shows a high tolerance for drought conditions once fully established.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Shrub
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Statuesque shrub reaching 5-15 feet (1.5-4.5 meters) with fuzzy underside leaves.
Small, open bell-shaped greenish-white flowers with prominent yellow stamens.
Pear-shaped berries in clusters, transitioning from yellow to purple when ripe.
Alternate leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) long, with red and purple fall coloration.
Slender stem with zigzag pattern, green to red hue, branching irregularly.
The leaves of deerberry are alternate and simple, measuring 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) long and 0.75-1.25 inches (1.9-3.2 cm) wide. They have entire margins and are green to blue-green with fuzzy white undersides. The leaves exhibit a beautiful fall color, transitioning to reds and purples. These leaves are smooth on the upper surface, while the underside is characterized by a distinctive fuzziness which aids in identification.
Deerberry produces small, open bell-shaped flowers that are about 1/4 inch (6 mm) broad. The blossoms typically exhibit a greenish-white hue, sometimes accented with a pink tinge. Each flower has five petals, arranged in leafy-bracted panicles. Prominent yellowish stamens extend beyond the petals, creating a striking contrast. These delicate flowers bloom from April to early June.
The stem of deerberry is slender and exhibits a zigzag pattern. It initially presents a striking green and red hue, transitioning to light brown as it matures. The texture is smooth, and the stems branch at irregular intervals. Buds that form on the stem are small, pointed, and can be observed along its length. Typically, the stem ranges from 0.1 to 0.2 inches (2.5 to 5 mm) in diameter, maintaining a delicate yet robust appearance.
The fruit of deerberry appears as small, pear-shaped berries, measuring about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) in length. These berries grow in loose, dangling clusters and exhibit a variable color palette, transitioning from pale yellow to green, and eventually to purple as they mature. The fruit's exterior texture is smooth, showcasing a glossy finish upon ripening. The berries are known to reach full maturity from late summer through to early fall, providing a distinctive feature for seasonal identification.
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Scientific Classification of Deerberry
