Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Small Black Blueberry (Vaccinium tenellum)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Ericales>Ericaceae>Vaccinium tenellum Aiton

Other common names: Southern Blueberry, Small Cluster Blueberry

Small Black Blueberry (Vaccinium tenellum)

A common lowbush blueberry of xeric sites in the Coastal Plain and lower Piedmont in North Carolina.

To tell it from other lowbush blueberries, look for red stipitate glands on the undersides of the leaves and glossy black berries. The twigs are densely pubescent and the leaves are green beneath.

The similar Vaccinium pallidum (Hillside Blueberry), which is more common in the Mountains and Piedmont, has glaucous (whitish) leaf undersides, lacks the red stipitate glands, and has glabrous (smooth) twigs. Gaylussacia dumosa (Dwarf Huckleberry) is also very similar.

Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.

Small Black Blueberry (Vaccinium tenellum)

Other common names include Southern Blueberry and Small Cluster Blueberry.

Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.

More information:
USDA PLANTS database

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides