Ground Blueberry

Vaccinium myrsinites
Family: Ericaceae

Natural History

Ground blueberry usually grows in open places, from wet to dry sites. It commonly grows in prairies, pine forests, and at the edges of bogs or bays. It also occurs in mixed forests, on disturbed dunes, and in unplanted fields. sprouts readily after a fire and is found in four states in the southeast: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

Mammals such as black bears, raccoons, foxes, skunks, chipmunks, mice, and squirrels feed on the fruit of ground blueberry. Many species of birds eat the berries. White-tailed deer consume the fruit and leaves. The plant provides cover for a variety of small birds and mammals. The berries are sweet and they are commonly eaten by people. Many berries in the Vaccinium genus were important traditional foods of Native American tribes. Today they are eaten fresh, in jams, in pies, and in muffins.

Elliot blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) is similar but has leaves ½" to 1" long, achieves a height of 3' to 9', and is deciduous.