Introductory
SPECIES: Vaccinium myrtillus | Dwarf Bilberry 



ABBREVIATION : 
VACMYR

SYNONYMS : 
   Vaccinium oreophilum


SCS PLANT CODE : 
   VAMY2
   VAMYM
   VAMYO


COMMON NAMES : 
   dwarf bilberry
   whortleberry


TAXONOMY : 
The currently accepted scientific name of dwarf bilberry is Vaccinium
myrtillus L. [48].  It is placed within the section Myrtillus [69,92].
The following subspecies have been delineated on the basis of
morphological differences [92]:

   Vaccinium myrtillus ssp. myrtillus
   Vaccinium myrtillus ssp. oreophilum (Rydb.) Love, Love and Kapoor 


The Vaccinium genus is taxonomically complex [14].  Hybridization and
polyploidy make delineation of species difficult [14,15].  Dwarf
bilberry may have received genetic material from globe huckleberry (V.
globulare), dwarf huckleberry (V. caespitosum), and/or blue huckleberry
(V.  membranaceum) [13].  Some taxonomists believe that the blue
huckleberry may be a derivative of globe huckleberry and dwarf bilberry
[20].  Naturally occurring dwarf bilberry-lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea)
hybrids have been reported in parts of northern Europe [1,37,60,79].
Numerous intermediate forms have been observed, although fruit set is
apparently rare in these populations [44].  V. X intermedium Ruthe is a
natural hybrid resulting from a dwarf bilberry-lingonberry cross
[44,79,81].


LIFE FORM : 
Shrub

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : 
No special status

OTHER STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


COMPILED BY AND DATE : 
D. Tirmenstein, August 10, 1990.


LAST REVISED BY AND DATE : 
NO-ENTRY


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

Related categories for Species: Vaccinium myrtillus | Dwarf Bilberry