Huckleberry
(Scientific Name: Vaccinium
species)
Description:
Low, branching shrubs varying in height from less than 1 foot to
over 5 feet tall. Stems frequently are angled and sometimes a
reddish color. Simple alternate leaves are either entire or have
finely serrated edges. The single, small, urn-shaped flowers are
white or pink and are followed in the fall by red, blue, or black
berries which appear to have had their ends sliced off.
Habitat:
Widely distributed and common in open areas and woods throughout the
Western United States. Most grow from medium to high elevations and
ripen in the late summer.
Uses: huckleberries are one of our most
sought-after wild fruits. They are delicious raw and make excellent
pies, jams and jellies. They dry easily and can be used like
raisins.
