Herbs Guide

Blueberry

Family Name: Ericaceae

Botanical Name(s): Vaccinium Myrtillus

Popular Name(s): Highbush Blueberry, Berkeley Highbush Blueberry.

Parts Used: Dried leaf, whole or chopped.

Habitat: The species are native to North America and Eastern Asia.

Description: They are shrubs varying in size from 10 cm tall to 4 m tall; the smaller species are known as "lowbush blueberries", and the larger species as "highbush blueberries". The leaves can be either deciduous or evergreen, ovate to lanceolate, and from 1-8 cm long and 0.5-3.5 cm broad.

Uses: Blueberries are also an important food source for wildlife during the summer. Blueberries can be eaten fresh, or used in pie fillings, jams, jellies, syrups, juice, wine, and flavor concentrates as well as components of baked goods.