Low Blueberry.Vaccinium vacillans.
Found in dry uplands, and light woods, in May.
The woody, branching stalk, from 1 to 2 feet high, has a smooth, thin, green bark.
The oval leaves are small, about an inch long, unbroken on the edge, and set opposite each other on scarcely perceptible stems; they are rather few in number, fine in texture, smooth, and of a light green color.
The small, bell-like corolla is slightly contracted at the top, 5-parted, with the small tips rolled back. Color white, more or less tinged and streaked with light red. There are 10 orange-tipped stamens, and 1 pale green pistil; the 5-parted calyx is green, tinged with red. The flowers hang on short stems, drooping in clusters of 5 to 7, or more, from the ends of the twigs.
The flowers appear while the leafage still shows the red flush of the new growth. The green twiggery of this low bush gives an early promise of spring, long before the leaves think of showing themselves. The round, sweet and juicy berries, dark blue with a fine bloom, surrounded by the harmonious green of the leafage, have a decided charm of color too rarely noted by those who seek them for their edible qualities only.