VACCINIUM 



625 



oval-lanceshaped, I to 3^ ins. long, half as wide; tapering at both ends, very 

 shortly stalked, downy" beneath on the midrib and veins, not toothed. 

 Flowers produced during May in a series of short, few-flowered clusters near 

 and at the leafless ends of the previous season's twigs. Corolla cylindrical, 

 but narrowed near the mouth, j to i in. long, white or pale pink. Berries 

 black, covered with a blue bloom, and from | to | in. wide, variable in size, 

 colour, and flavour. 



Native of Eastern N. America; introduced in 1765. In British gardens 

 this is the commonest, often the only N. American Vaccinium. It not only 

 grows well and blossoms freely, but its leaves turn to beautiful shades of red 

 before falling in the autumn. It is a very variable species, and there are at 

 least half a dozen forms that may be distinguished. The most distinct are : 



Var. AMCENUM, A. Gray (V. amcenum, Aitoii). Like the type inhabit, 

 but with the leaves minutely toothed, and hairy on the margins when young. 



VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM. 



Var. FUSCATUM, A. Gray (V. fuscatum, Aitori). Leaves covered beneath 

 with brownish hairs. Introduced in 1770. 



Var. PALLIDUM, A. Gray (V. pallidum, Alton}. Mountain Blueberry. 

 Leaves bluish beneath, and smooth except for the minutely toothed margins 

 being hairy. Berries deep blue. 



All the varieties are by some writers considered to be distinct species 

 like atrococcum (7.^.), which Gray made a variety of V. corym,bosum also. 



V. CRASSIFOLIUM, Andrews. 

 (Bot. Mag., t. 1152.) 



An evergreen shrub of more or less procumbent habit; young wood 

 covered with fine down. Leaves set about \ in. apart on the twigs, oval.; 

 \ to | in. long, \ to $ in. wide; slightly toothed, quite smooth, shining green, 

 and of leathery texture; stalk ^ in. long, reddish like the young twigs, 

 Flowers produced in May and June in short lateral and terminal racemes; 

 corolla bell-shaped, rosy red, \ in. long. Berries black. 



