Question: Hi! I was wondering if I could get some help identifying this bush that grows in my area (Connecticut shoreline). …
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Question
Hi! I was wondering if I could get some help identifying this bush that grows in my area (Connecticut shoreline). It grows almost exclusively along river beds, areas prone to flooding and in local wooded marshes. Best guess so far would be something in the Ericaceae family (possibly Vaccinium- though I cannot find any berries, or Rhododendron - though I have never been aware of this plant during its flowering season. Any help would be much appreciated, right now it has got me stumped!
Answer
Dear numerousnoahs, I do think you are correct that this species is a member of the Ericaceae. I can't see necessary details well enough to give you a confident answer. The green branches and what details I can see of the winter buds suggests Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry). You could confirm this by looking for whitish papillae (small, rounded bumps) on the young branchlets (most species of blueberry, but not all, have these and it is a good way to narrow down to the genus). Best wishes.
