Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

shiny blueberry

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Vaccinium myrsinites

Family:

Ericaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

1-2 ft tall by spreading ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,pink

Fruit Color:

blue,black

Phenology:

evergreen. Blooms in mid-spring.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Fall Color, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Best used as a wildflower as it has a relatively short lifespan.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seeds, division.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Attracts pollinators.  Documented bee species include Augochlorella aurata, A. gratiosa, Augochloropsis anonyma, A. sumptuosa  and Coelioxys say (Deyrup et al. 2002).

 Birds and other wildlife consume the fruit.

Native Habitats:

Scrub, scrubby flatwoods, flatwoods, high pine, cutthroat seep.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Edible fruits.

General Comments:

The range includes all of peninsular Florida and the southern parts of Georgia, and Alabama.