Native Plants PNW

WTU Herbarium Image Collection, Plants of Washington, Burke Museum

E-Flora BC, Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

USDA Forest Service-Fire Effects Information System

Plants for a Future Database

Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan, Dearborn

Mountain Huckleberry, Vaccinium membranaceum

Mountain Huckleberry The Heath Family– Ericaceae

Vaccinium membranaceum Douglas ex Torr.

(Vax-IH-nee-um mem-brain-uh-SEE-um)Names

Names: Mountain Huckleberry is also known as Thin-leaf Huckleberry (membranaceum = thin, like a membrane). It is also known as Big, Black, or Blue Huckleberry. It is Idaho’s State Fruit.

Distribution of Mountain Huckleberry from USDA Plants Database

Distribution: This species is found in the west from the Yukon Territory to Northern California, mostly in the Cascade Mountains; eastward through the Rocky Mountain States and Provinces; reaching to Minnesota, Upper Michigan, and Ontario, on the east side of Lake Superior.

Growth: Mountain Huckleberry grows from 1 to 4’ (30-150 cm).

Habitat: It sometimes grows as an understory shrub in dry to moist coniferous forests but is most numerous on open subalpine slopes. In the Cascades, it is frequently found with Beargrass, Xerophyllum tenax. Roots may penetrate to a depth of 40” (100cm); rhizomes grow at between 3 to 12” (8-30cm) of the soil profile. After low to moderately severe fires, Mountain Huckleberry resprouts from the rhizomes. Fire exclusion reduces Black Huckleberry populations over time as they are overtaken by larger shrubs and trees. Wetland designation: FACU+, Facultative upland, it usually occurs in non-wetland but is sometimes found in wetlands

Diagnostic Characters: Mountain Huckleberry has thin leaves with finely toothed margins that are pointed at the tip. Flowers are urn-shaped and creamy-pink. The berries are purplish or reddish-black, without a waxy bloom.

In the Landscape: This species is prized for its delicious berries. Its leaves turn a spectacular red to purple in the fall. Mountain Huckleberry does best when it has little competition from other plants and is ideal for a rock garden or on a slope with plenty of organic matter. Plant it together with its natural companion, Beargrass, to reproduce the look of a subalpine hillside. Soil moisture will affect the quality and quantity of berry production, although it still will fruit even after 4-6 months with no rain.

Phenology: Bloom time: Late spring to June. Fruit ripens: Mid-summer to late August.

Propagation: In nature, Mountain Huckleberry propagates mostly vegetatively by slow expansion via adventitious buds on its rhizomes. Although seed reproduction is reportedly rare in nature, seeds can be propagated with about a 42% germination rate. It is best to plant seeds as soon as they are ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed may require a 3 month stratification period. Cuttings are difficult but possible from half-ripe wood taken in August, with a heel. More success is likely with division of the rhizomes.

Use by People: The flavorful, juicy berries were collected by natives, eaten fresh or cooked, mashed and dried into cakes. Today, many families make special trips to the mountains to pick huckleberries. They go back to the same patch every year, unofficially claiming it as their own– hesitant to share the location with others. This is the species of huckleberry most commonly used in huckleberry Jams, syrups and other products marketed to tourists.

Use by Wildlife: Huckleberry flowers are pollinated by bees. Mountain Huckleberry is the dominant species of huckleberry consumed by Grizzly Bears and Black Bears; they eat the berries, leaves, stems and roots. Elk, moose and deer will also browse on the foliage. Small mammals, grouse and other birds also eat the berries as well as use the shrub as cover.

Links:

WTU Herbarium Image Collection, Plants of Washington, Burke Museum

E-Flora BC, Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Jepson Eflora, University of California

USDA Forest Service-Fire Effects Information System

Native Plants Network, Propagation Protocol Database

Plants for a Future Database

Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan, Dearborn

Red Huckleberry, Vaccinium parvifolium

Red Huckleberry The Heath Family– Ericaceae

Vaccinium parvifolium Sm.

(Vax-IH-nee-um parv-IH-foal-ee-um)

Names: Red Huckleberry is also known as Red Whortleberry or Red Bilberry. Parvifolium means small-leaved.

Distribution of Red Huckleberry from USDA Plants Database

Distribution: It is found along the Pacific Coast from southeast Alaska to central California. Mostly in the lowland forests west of the Cascades in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon; the California coast, and the Sierra Nevadas. It is the most common Vaccinium in the Oregon coast mountain ranges.

Growth: Red Huckleberry grows slowly up to 12 ft. (4m), usually growing only 3-6 ft. (1-2m). It is often found growing on top of decaying logs and stumps in open to fairly dense coniferous forests.

Beautiful new spring leaves.

Diagnostic Characters: It is most easily recognized when berries are ripe, being the only native upright Vaccinium with red berries. Its stems are finely branched, angular and usually bright-green but sometimes red. Its dainty leaves are small, oval and not toothed, some occasionally persist through winter. The greenish or creamy-pink urn-shaped flowers arise singly in leaf axils.

In the Landscape: Red Huckleberry performs best in a woodland garden which duplicates its native habitat in partial shade with rich, humusy soil. It is delicate-looking with an attractive branching pattern. In fall, its reddish leaves create an interesting visual contrast next to its green branches. Rhododendrons, Salal, Evergreen Huckleberry and ferns are good companions. Many attempt to duplicate the natural look of this charming plant perched on top of a rotting stump or log. The establishment phase of this endeavor is critical—the transplant must receive the proper amount of moisture; too much or too little will lead to certain death!

Creamy-pink, urn-shaped flowers.

Phenology: Bloom time: April-June; Fruit ripens: July-August.

It is the only native upright Vaccinium with red berries.

Propagation: Seeds require no special treatment, but in nature the digestive processes of animals may hasten germination. After sowing on a peaty, high-acid soil, seedlings begin emerging after one month and may continue germinating for a long time thereafter. Warm days (14 hours @ 82ºF (28ºC)) and cool nights (10 hours @ 56ºF (13ºC)) enhance germination success. Seedlings are small and may take a few seasons to mature before plants are large enough to plant out in the garden. Softwood cuttings may be taken in June, treated with IBA and stuck in a peat moss/sand media (2:1).

Use by People: Red Huckleberries were eaten fresh by all native tribes. The berries were often combed off the twigs and then the leaves were separated from the berries by rolling them down a rough, wet plank. Some tribes dried them singly or mashed them into cakes or stored them in oil. The berries, resembling salmon eggs, were used as fish bait in streams. Red Huckleberries are a good source of Vitamin C and many prefer their flavor over cranberries. The berries are sometimes used in pies, jellies, jams or preserves. Hikers consider them a great treat for a quick snack on the trail. The delicate twigs are sometimes used by florists.

Use by Wildlife: As with all the other huckleberries and blueberries, Red Huckleberry is a favorite food of a variety of birds and mammals including thrushes, pigeons, towhees, ptarmigans, and grouse; and bears, raccoons, chipmunks, foxes, skunks and deer mice. The twigs and foliage are also an important browse for deer, mountain goat, and elk. Small mammals will also browse Red Huckleberry. It is a preferred food of Mountain Beaver.

Links:

WTU Herbarium Image Collection, Plants of Washington, Burke Museum

E-Flora BC, Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Jepson Eflora, University of California

USDA Forest Service-Fire Effects Information System

Plants for a Future Database

Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan, Dearborn

Deciduous alpine ericads

Related ericads often found together in subalpine areas:

Cascade Azalea, Rhododendron albiflorum Hook. Also known as White-flowered (the meaning of albiflorum) Rhododendron, it has showy cup-shaped flowers. The upper surface of the leaves are covered with fine rusty hairs, the underside has white hairs only on the mid vein. Unfortunately, horticulturists have had very little success taming this subalpine gem in a cultivated garden. People continue to try; but for now only hikers can enjoy this beautiful rhododendron!

Links:

Distribution of Cascade Azalea from USDA Plants Database

WTU Herbarium Image Collection, Plants of Washington, Burke Museum

E-Flora BC, Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan, Dearborn

Copperbush, Elliottia pyroliflora (Bong.) S.W. Brim & P.F. Stevens. Previously known as Cladothamnus pyroliflorus, Copperbush has been reclassified into the genus Elliottia, due to its more recently discovered relationship to Georgia Plume, E. racemosa. Cladothamnus means branching bush, pyroliflora refers to flowers that resemble pyrola (wintergreen) flowers. Copperbush refers to either its copper-colored flowers or its coppery peeling bark. Its leaves are hairless, covered in a waxy powder. Copperbush often grows along the edges of streambanks and bogs. It can be propagated by seed. Although some references state that it is “easily found in nurseries,” I have never seen it and can only find a couple of nurseries in BC that list it in their inventories.

Distribution of Copperbush from USDA Plants Database

Links:

WTU Herbarium Image Collection, Plants of Washington, Burke Museum

E-Flora BC, Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia