ALASKA BLUEBERRY

(Vaccinium alaskaense)

Alaska blueberry

Family: Ericaceae

Alaska blueberry is common in the Cascades and coastal  mountains from Alaska to northwest Oregon.  It grows all of Alaska except portions of the northern coastal plain and western Aleutians.  It is the most wide spread of wild growing blueberries in Alaska.

Description:

Perennial shrub, taller than the rest of blueberry shrubs growing in Alaska. 

            Leaves relatively larger.

            Flower stalks straight and longer.

            Fruits a berry, blue, edible and sweet.

Utilization:

The fruits are eaten fresh.  These are also made into jams and jellies and added into cakes and pies.  The fruits can also be sundried for use later.

Cultivation:

Alaska blueberry is not grown on orchard scale.  The fruits are collected from wild only.  However if plants are required for some purpose, these can be raised from seed.  Cuttings taken from current years grown and then treated with 0.3% IBA powder also root well.  However,  bottom heat is required for rooting cuttings.