Vaccinium scoparium
(Grouse Whortleberry)
Vaccinium scoparium, Pennsylvania Ridge, Summit Co. 1634
Vaccinium scoparium, Pennsylvania Ridge, Summit Co. 1642
Vaccinium scoparium, Pennsylvania Ridge, Summit Co. 1647
Vaccinium scoparium, Pennsylvania Ridge, Summit Co. 1635
Vaccinium scoparium, Pennsylvania Ridge, Summit Co. 1662
| Scientific Name | Vaccinium scoparium | USDA PLANTS Symbol | VASC |
| Common Name | Grouse Whortleberry, Dwarf Red Whortleberry, Broom Huckleberry | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 23613 |
| Family | Ericaceae (Heath) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to alpine (8000 to 12700); moist or dry acidic soils, especially in sandy or gravelly loams, and in rocky subalpine to alpine woods and open slopes; always found in the understory of lodgepole pine forests. Plant: Colony-forming, small deciduous shrubs, 4 to 12 inches tall with broom-like branches; twigs are green, angled and hairless. Leaves: Leaf blades are elliptical to ovate 0.2 to 0.6 inches long and 0.1 to 0.3 inches wide; edges are finely serrulate and the surfaces hairless. Inflorescence: Solitary small (~3/16-inch long) round to urn-shaped, nodding flowers from lower leaf axils, pinkish to white. Fruit: Red, somewhat translucent, or bluish-purple, less than 0.25 inches across Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, USDA Plant Guide and Flora of North America. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains