Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2882880

Velvetleaf Blueberry

Vaccinium myrtilloides

Also known as Common Blueberry, Velvetleaf Huckleberry, Canadian Blueberry, Sourtop Blueberry

Velvetleaf blueberry is a low-growing deciduous shrub native to boreal forests, peat bogs, and rocky barrens across northern North America. Fine downy hairs coat its young stems and leaf undersides, giving the plant a distinctive velvety texture that helps conserve moisture in dry or exposed habitats. Bell-shaped white flowers bloom in spring to feed native pollinators, giving way to blue berries that nourish black bears, small mammals, and birds during late summer.

DeciduousBorealNative Shrub
Velvetleaf Blueberry reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) naturalist charlie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by naturalist charlie · cc-by
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Photosynthetic
Predators
  • Black Bear
  • White-Tailed Deer
  • Ruffed Grouse
ThreatsHabitat conversion, fire suppression, extreme weather events
HabitatsBoreal forests, peat bogs, rocky barrens, acidic woods
Life span20–50+ years
Classification
  1. OrderEricales
  2. FamilyEricaceae
  3. GenusVaccinium
  4. SpeciesVaccinium myrtilloides
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; never eat based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Observe foliage: Look for fine downy hairs covering young twigs and leaf undersides.
  • Explore acidic soils: Search along sunny forest clearings, granite outcrops, and bog edges.
  • Watch for pollinators: Visit spring blooms to spot bumblebees foraging on the bell-shaped flowers.
Related species
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