Ibeatb jfamil?. 



Low Blueberry. Vacciniwm vacillans. 



Found in dry uplands, and light woods, in May. 



The woody, branching stalk, from 1 to 2 feet high, has a smooth, 

 thin, gi'een bark. 



The oval leaves are small, about an inch long, unbroken on the 

 edge, and set opposite each other on scarcely perceptible stems ; they 

 are rather few in number, fine in texture, smooth, and of a light green 

 color. 



The small, bell-like corolla is slightly contracted at the top, 

 5-parted, with the small tips rolled back. Color white, more or less 

 tinged and streaked with light red. There are 10 orange-tipped 

 stamens, and 1 pale green pistil ; the 5-parted calyx is green, tinged 

 with red. The flowers hang on short stems, drooping in clusters of 5 

 to 7, or more, from the ends of the twigs. 



The flowers appear while the leafage still shows the red flush of 

 the new growth. The green twiggery of this low bush gives an early 

 promise of spring, long before the leaves think of showing themselves. 

 The round, sweet and juicy berries, dark blue with a fine bloom, sur- 

 rounded by the harmonious green of the leafage, have a decided charm 

 of color too rarely noted by those who seek them for their edible 

 qualities only. 



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