Thunderbird evergreen huckleberry

Scientific Name:

Vaccinium ovatum 'Thunderbird'

Pronunciation:

vack-SIN-ee-um oh-VAY-tum

Common Name:

Thunderbird evergreen huckleberry

Family Name:

Ericaceae

Plant Type:

Broadleaf evergreen

Key ID Features:

Leaves alternate, ovate-lanceolate, <3cm long, serrate, glossy dark green, dense on reddish stems, leathery; flowers urn-shaped, pinkish-white, late spring, nodding racemes; fruit edible, spherical, glossy black berries.

Habit:

Arching, Dense, Upright

Form:

Round

Texture:

Medium - fine

Mature Height:

1.3 - 2.0m

Mature Spread:

1.0 - 1.5m

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Origin:

B.C. west of Cascades, Garden origin

Hardiness Rating:

Zone 7: (-18 to -12 °C)

Exposure:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade, Deep shade

Soil/Growing Medium:

Acidic, Humus rich, Well-drained

Water Use:

Moderate, Low

Landscape Uses:

Attract birds, Floristry, Ground cover, Group or mass planting, Mixed shrub border, Small garden/space, Spring interest, Urban agriculture, Wildlife food, Woodland margin

Additional Info:

Google

Leaf Morphology:

Glossary

Form:

Simple

Arrangement:

Alternate

Texture/Venation:

Leathery

Surfaces:

Lustrous

Colour in Summer:

Dark-green, New growth red

Colour in Fall:

Dark-green

Shapes:

Ovate

Apices:

Acute

Margins:

Serrate

Additional Info:

new growth is reddish

Inflorescence Type:

Flowers clustered, Floriferous

Flower Morphology:

Flowers perfect

Number Of Petals:

5

Corolla Shape:

Urceolate

Ovary Position:

Inferior

Colour (petals):

Showy, White

Flower Time at Peak:

Apr, May

Fruit Type:

Berry (true), Edible

Fruit Colour:

Purple, Black

Fruiting Time:

Sep, Oct

Additional Info:

Showy, Edible, Botanically a false berry due to the inferior ovary (calyx opposite the pedicel like in pomes and the floral tube forms a thin layer of accessory tissue over the exocarp)