| Gaylussacia tomentosa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Gaylussacia |
| Species: | G. tomentosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Gaylussacia tomentosa | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Gaylussacia tomentosa, commonly known as the hairy dangleberry [3] or hairytwig huckleberry, [4] is a plant species native to the coastal plains of the southeastern United States (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas). [5]
Asa Gray described this species as Vaccinium tomentosum in 1878. It was given its current name in 1897.
Gaylussacia tomentosa is a shrub up to 200 cm (80 inches) tall, spreading by means of underground rhizomes hence sometimes forming huge colonies. Leaves are dull green or yellow-green on the upper surface, pale green and waxy on the underside. Flowers are in dangling groups of 2–4, greenish-white. Fruits are dark blue or occasionally white, sweet and juicy. [3] [6]
G. tomentosa has been found to inhabit habitat types such as sandhills, pine flatwoods, and xeric coastal fringe sandhills. [7] It has shown preference for both dry and moist loamy sands. [8]
