The Berries

There are several species of blueberries and huckleberries that thrive in subalpine and alpine meadows. The delicious fruit of these berries is vitally important to bears as they prepare for hibernation. Berry species found in the North Cascades include:

Alaska Blueberry (Vaccinium alaskaense)- mostly montane and occasionally subalpine
Oval-leaf Blueberry (V. ovalifolium)- mostly montane and subalpine
Black Huckleberry (V. membranaceum)- mostly subalpine
Cascade Blueberry (V. deliciosum)- subalpine and alpine

Abe's key to early season Vaccinium of the North Cascades

1a. Shrubs over 50 cm tall - Go to 2

2a. Leaf margins with fine but sharp serrations; flowers greenish white to bronze, broader than tall = Black Huckleberry

2b. Leaf margins smooth or at most with irregularly spaced teeth - Go to 3

3a. Flowers emerge before leaves, taller than broad, pink; pedicels short, curved; leaves smaller, flatter, lower leaf midvein lacking hairs = Oval-leaf Blueberry.

3b. Flowers emerge after leaves, broader than tall with exerted pistils, yellowish pink to bronze; pedicels long, usually straight; leaves larger, dihedral and arched, lower leaf midvein with small hairs = Alaska Blueberry.

1b. Shrubs mostly less than 50 cm tall; leaves with rounded serrations; flowers white whitish pink, or pink, as broad or broader than tall = Cascade Blueberry.

Note: Alaska, Oval-leaf, and Cascade Blueberry can hybridize with each other.


Variations in Black Huckleberry flowers

Variations in Oval-leaf Blueberry flowers

 












Variations in Alaska Blueberry flowers

Variations in Cascade Blueberry flowers

Late Season Vacciniums:

Left to right: Vaccinium membranaceum, V. alaskaense, V. ovalifolium, V. deliciosum

For more keys and pictures see Abe Lloyd's Wild Harvests page on mountain blueberries and huckleberries