Vaccinium cylindraceum | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Ericaceae |
Genus: | Vaccinium |
Species: | V. cylindraceum |
Binomial name | |
Vaccinium cylindraceum | |
Synonyms [3] | |
Vaccinium longiflorumWikstr. |
Vaccinium cylindraceum, known by its common names such as Azores blueberry, (Portuguese: uva-da-serra,uva-do-mato) is a semi-deciduous species of Vaccinium endemic to the Azores. [3] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as an ornamental. [4]
This shrub can reach up to 3 meters in height. It is also a hermaphrodite. The serrated leaves are elongated and have sharp tips. Initially red, the apical shoots may have a bright red colour. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, with a pinkish white colour, and usually occur in clusters. In autumn the leaves may change to a reddish-yellow. The black fruit is a pseudo-berry, and are said to be juicy and fleshy. [5] [6] Cytology is 2n = 48. [7]
This plant can be found at all of the islands in Azores, apart from Graciosa. [8]
This species can be found at elevations between 380 - 1,400m. [9]
The Azores blueberry flowers between May and June. [8] It should be grown in acidic, loam, well-drained soil. It can be grown in light-shade or no shade. [6] [10]
It can be propagated by seed or by cuttings. [10]