How to identify Rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum)

How to identify Rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum)

Rabbiteye blueberry, also known as Southern black blueberry, Twiggy whortleberry

Rabbiteye blueberry exhibits a rounded to vase-like growth habit, reaching 6 to 10 feet (approx. 1.8 to 3 meters) in height. During spring to early summer, small, bell-shaped white to pale pinkish flowers grace the plant. Its leaves are ovate to elliptical, measuring up to 3 inches (about 7.6 cm) long, with a smooth margin and alternating arrangement on the stems. Fruits evolve from a distinctive pink color to a mature deep blue upon ripening, typically in late summer. The berries cluster on the shrub, offering a visual cue for maturity by their color transition.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Rabbiteye blueberry

Rounded to vase-like growth, 6-10 feet tall (1.8-3 meters)

Bell-shaped white to pink flowers in spring

Distinct blue-black berries, smooth surface, ripe in late summer

Alternate, elliptic to obovate leaves, 1-3 inches long (2.5-7.5 cm)

Green to reddish stem, slender, smooth, up to 2 feet long (60 cm)

Detailed Traits of Rabbiteye blueberry

Leaf Features

The leaves of rabbiteye blueberry are alternate, simple, and broadly elliptic to broadly obovate in shape. They measure about 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) in length. The tips are acute, and the bases are cuneate. The edges exhibit fine serrations. The upper surface is dark green to blue-green, glandular, and may be slightly pubescent to nearly smooth, while the underside is lighter in color. These leaves, with their distinctive shape and coloration, are key identification features.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of rabbiteye blueberry are found in attractive clusters, emerging in early spring from March to April. They feature distinctive bell-shaped blooms, predominantly white with occasional pink hues. Each flower measures approximately 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1 cm) in length. The flowers have a subtle, sweet fragrance, and their petals are fused, forming a tubular shape that flares open at the end. These key characteristics aid in the identification of rabbiteye blueberry's blossoms.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of rabbiteye blueberry exhibits a color gradient ranging from green to reddish hues. Typically, the stems are slender and cylindrical, with a smooth surface texture. They can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) in length, displaying an intricate branching pattern. The stem's thickness varies, usually measuring around 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in diameter. Notable for its flexibility, the stem supports the plant’s upright growth, making it distinguishable and crucial for identification.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit produced by rabbiteye blueberry is a small, edible berry, measuring less than 1 inch (<2.5 cm) in diameter. Mature fruits bear a distinctive blue-black hue and present a globular shape. Harvestable between May and June, these berries have a surface that is typically smooth to the touch. It is noteworthy that only female plants with proper cross-pollination can yield these succulent berries, as they are incapable of producing fruit independently.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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