Question: In wooded Wellfleet uplands just east of Herring River this little Vaccinium stood out somewhat luminously in the still mostly …
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Question
In wooded Wellfleet uplands just east of Herring River this little Vaccinium stood out somewhat luminously in the still mostly gray-brown understory on April 9. I'm trying to understand whether this might be angustifolium or pallidum. I've seen different clues on line about the whitish-spotted twig. Thank you!
Answer
Dear corylus, both Vaccinium angustifolium and V. pallidum have papillose branchlets, so that trait doesn't help us much to discriminate these two species. In fact, almost all species of blueberry in New England have them (save for V. stamineum, V. uliginosum, and V. cespitosum). One of the best clues for you to seek out would be the fallen leaves at the base of the plant. There, some of the details described in the keys might still be discernible, even on withered remains.
