Definition

Noun: * A low-growing deciduous shrub (Vaccinium angustifolium) native to northeastern North America. It is characterized by compact clusters of flowers (racemes) and produces edible, sweet, dark blue berries. This plant is commonly known as the lowbush blueberry.

Usage

• Vaccinium angustifolium is the scientific (Latin) name used for precise botanical identification.
• In everyday language, this plant is almost always referred to by its common names, such as "lowbush blueberry" or "wild blueberry."

Examples

• The sandy, acidic soil of Maine is ideal for the cultivation of Vaccinium angustifolium.
• Vaccinium angustifolium is a key species in some fire-adapted ecosystems.
• Commercially, the berries from Vaccinium angustifolium are often frozen or used in processed foods.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical and horticultural texts, the full binomial name is used to distinguish it from other blueberry species, such as the highbush blueberry ().

Variants and Related Words

• Lowbush blueberry (n): The most common common name for this species.
• Wild blueberry (n): A common name, especially when referring to berries harvested from managed wild stands, as opposed to cultivated highbush varieties.
• Blueberry (n): The general term for the berry and the plant; is one specific type.

Synonyms

• Lowbush blueberry
• Wild blueberry (in a specific regional context)
• Late sweet blueberry (a less common variant name)

Noun

1. low-growing deciduous shrub of northeastern North America having flowers in compact racemes and bearing sweet dark blue berries