Question: Hi, these Vaccinium spp. were found in open forest in northwest Somerset county, ME (lower elevation, well drained). One blueberry …
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Question
Hi, these Vaccinium spp. were found in open forest in northwest Somerset county, ME (lower elevation, well drained). One blueberry plant is abundant, has light blue berries with a distinct bloom. the leaves are lighter green with finely serrated leaves. The buds are bright red (pic without the berry). The less common blueberry has a glossy dark blue fruit with darker green leaves and green/red buds.
Answer
Dear eehrlich, good morning. These are both the same species. Individual plants may or may not produce a bloom on the berries. It is usual for there to be a bloom, but sometimes it is absent. This form has been named in the past (var. nigrum), but is now realized to be a form not worthy of formal taxonomic recognition. In fact, within a given small colony, the fruits can vary as to whether or not a bloom is present.
