Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia ursina)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Ericales>Ericaceae>Gaylussacia ursina (M.A. Curtis) Torrey & A. Gray ex A. Gray

Gaylussacia ursina is a deciduous shrub forming large clonal patches. Common within its limited range in the southern Appalachians, it is found only in the southeastern corner of North Carolina and nearby counties in southeastern Tennessee, northeastern Georgia, and northwestern South Carolina.

The leaves are larger, thinner, and more acuminate (long-pointed) than other species of Gaylussacia, such as G. baccata. The leaves, reddish when they first emerge, lack resin glands on the upper surfaces.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

Bear Huckleberry (Gaylussacia ursina)

The flowers are small and greenish, with a tinge of red.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

Bear Huckleberry (Gaylussacia ursina)

Flower detail.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

Bear Huckleberry (Gaylussacia ursina)

Bark detail.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

 

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