Introductory
SPECIES: Vaccinium caespitosum | Dwarf Huckleberry 



ABBREVIATION : 
VACCAE

SYNONYMS : 
   Vaccinium arbusculum
   Vaccinium caespitosum var. angustifolium
   Vaccinium caespitosum var. cuneifolium
   Vaccinium caespitosum var. pauludicolum
   Vaccinium cespitosum
   Vaccinium cespitosum var. arbuscula
   Vaccinium globulare
   Vaccinium nivictum
   Vaccinium pauludicolum


SCS PLANT CODE : 
   VACA
   VACAC
   VACAP


COMMON NAMES : 
   dwarf huckleberry
   dwarf blueberry
   swamp blueberry
   dwarf bilberry
   Sierra bilberry
   blueberry
   huckleberry
   whortleberry
   dwarf grouseberry


TAXONOMY : 
The Vaccinium genus is taxonomically complex [8].  Hybridization and
polyploidy make delineation of species difficult [9,10,71].  The genus
is characterized by rapid speciation among polyploids and widespread
hybridization with backcrosses [9].  Dwarf huckleberry is a particularly
difficult taxon.

Dwarf huckleberry is a member of the section Myrtillus [58] and has been
placed in the complex Caespitosae which includes a number of
low-statured Vacciniums [16].  The currently accepted scientific name of
dwarf huckleberry is Vaccinium caespitosum Michx [39].  Great variation
exists in leaf and twig morphology and a number of forms have been
described [8].  Hitchcock and others [34] note that dwarf huckleberry
has been "separated by seemingly intangible characteristics into two or
three additional taxa."  Nevertheless, Kartesz [39] recognizes the
following varieties:

                 V. c. var. caespitosum
                 V. c. var. paludicola (Camp) Hulten

Intermediates between dwarf huckleberry and ovalleaf huckleberry (V.
ovalifolium) have been described [8].  


LIFE FORM : 
Shrub

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : 
No special status

OTHER STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


COMPILED BY AND DATE : 
D. Tirmenstein, March 1990.


LAST REVISED BY AND DATE : 
NO-ENTRY


AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : 
Tirmenstein, D. 1990. Vaccinium caespitosum. In: Remainder of Citation

Related categories for Species: Vaccinium caespitosum | Dwarf Huckleberry