Vaccinium cylindraceum explained

Vaccinium cylindraceum, known by its common names such as Azores blueberry, (Portuguese: uva-da-serra, uva-do-mato) is a semi-deciduous species of Vaccinium endemic to the Azores.^[1] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as an ornamental.^[2]

Description

This shrub can reach up to 3 meters in height. It is also a hermaphrodite. The serrated leaves are elongated and have sharp tips. Initially red, the apical shoots may have a bright red colour. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, with a pinkish white colour, and usually occur in clusters. In autumn the leaves may change to a reddish-yellow. The black fruit is a pseudo-berry, and are said to be juicy and fleshy.^{[3] [4]} Cytology is 2n = 48.^[5]

Distribution and habitat

This plant can be found at all of the islands in Azores, apart from Graciosa.^[6]

This species can be found at elevations between 380 - 1,400m.^[7]

Cultivation

The Azores blueberry flowers between May and June. It should be grown in acidic, loam, well-drained soil. It can be grown in light-shade or no shade.^{[4] [8]}

It can be propagated by seed or by cuttings.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Vaccinium cylindraceum Sm. . . 2017 . Plants of the World Online . Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . 8 October 2020 .
2. Web site: Vaccinium cylindraceum Azores blueberry . The Royal Horticultural Society . 8 October 2020 .
3. Web site: Uva-da-serra. 2020-11-04. drrf-sraa.azores.gov.pt.
4. Web site: Vaccinium cylindraceum PFAF Plant Database. 2020-11-04. pfaf.org.
5. Redpath . Lauren E. . Aryal . Rishi . Lynch . Nathan . Spencer . Jessica A. . Hulse-Kemp . Amanda M. . Ballington . James R. . Green . Jaimie . Bassil . Nahla . Hummer . Kim . Ranney . Thomas . Ashrafi . Hamid . Nuclear DNA contents and ploidy levels of North American Vaccinium species and interspecific hybrids . Scientia Horticulturae . Elsevier BV . 297 . 2022 . 0304-4238 . 10.1016/j.scienta.2022.110955 . 110955. free .
6. Web site: Vaccinium cylindraceum . . 22 May 2021.
7. Web site: Bgci). Emily Beech (IUCN SSC Global Tree SG /. Luís Silva (Departamento de Biologia. Universidade dos Açores). 2016-10-12. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Vaccinium cylindraceum. 2020-11-04. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
8. Web site: Shoot. Vaccinium cylindraceum Azores blueberry Care Plant Varieties & Pruning Advice. 2020-11-04. www.shootgardening.co.uk. en.