Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

Native to the northeastern US and central-eastern Canada, this low-growing shrub is often found growing in forest understories, meadows, upland bogs, and grasslands across a wide range of altitudes. It easily colonizes cleared ground through the growth of its horizontal underground stems, which make it fire-tolerant and may lay dormant for up to 100 years in waiting for adequate growing conditions. Moreover, it often aids in the revegetation of disturbed areas due to its high tolerance for a wide range of soils. 

Lowbush blueberry’s white, bell-shaped flowers bloom in late spring, becoming an excellent source of pollen and nectar for many species of bees and other insects, holding a special value to bumble bees and honey bees. Following this, its dark blue berries mature throughout the summer and provide food for a variety of wildlife, including bears and deer. They are also the most common commercially grown blueberry in North America, comprising about 90% of packaged blueberries. They provide rich nutritional value to wildlife and humans alike, providing vitamin C, dietary fibers, antioxidants, and natural sugars.