HEATH FAMILY 



(Ericaceae) 



Trees, shrubs, and perennial herbs. Leaves of ours mostly 

 evergreen and rigid, or occasionally reduced to scales. Anth- 

 ers mostly opening by little holes at the top. 



CALIFORNIA HUCKLEBERRY (Vaccinium ovatum, Pursh.). 

 Flowers pink or white, waxen, small and bell-shaped, about | 

 inch long, in short clusters from the axils of the alternate, 

 shiny leaves. Blooming in spring and early summer in the 

 Coast Ranges from Central California to Oregon and Washing- 

 ton. Frequent in the redwood forests. 



The California Huckleberry is one of the loveliest of shrubs, 

 whether in flower or fruit or neither. The red stems, clothed 

 with glossy evergreen leaves, are very graceful rising to the 

 height sometimes of 8 feet, though usually less. They are cut 

 in large quantities for Christmas greens. The purplish-black 

 berries, though small, are juicy and good. 



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