Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium)

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Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium) flowers

This low-growing evergreen blueberry of the Coastal Plain forms mats on the forest floor. It is ornamental and useful as a native groundcover. Pinkish-white flowers appear in mid-late April.

Holly Shelter Game Land, Pender Co., NC 4/19/09.

Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium) flowers

Native to just four states, Creeping Blueberry is common only in southern 2/3 of North Carolina and the eastern 1/3 of South Carolina. It also occurs in a few counties of the lower Piedmont. In Georgia and Virginia it is rare and local.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/09.

Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium) flowers

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium)

The leaves are reminiscent of the ultra-rare Box Huckleberry (Gaylussacia brachycera), but the habit and range are different.

Carteret Co., NC 8/27/06.

Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium)

The pinkish-white flowers are globular-urceolate in shape.

Pender Co., NC 4/23/06.

Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium)

Bark detail, with flowers and leaves of Common Pyxie-moss (Pyxidanthera barbulata).

Pender Co., NC 4/23/06.

More information:
NC State
USDA PLANTS database

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