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Tree/bush with blue berries - what is it?
The Vibrunum Lengato seems to be the closest match so far, but the
description of the berries doesn't seem quite right. It talks about blue-black berries, and these are a bright blue, definitely not approaching black. I have no idea about the trees history. I bought the property a year ago, and they were already here. There are about three or four of them together in the area in sort of a clump. The general appearance is that of a small (8') tree a bit spindly with sort of crooked angular branches. I've been following everyone's suggestions here, and this really seems to be a stumper. In every case the suggested plant has either the wrong leaf shape, or wrong berry color. I'm wondering, however, if the tree's environment is effecting it's normal appearance somewhat. It is in a very shady area that gets little sun. Probably not much more than a couple of hours of indirect sun a day. Maybe the berries would be black if the tree got more sun. Dunno. I sent an e-mail to the Connecticut horticultural society, but they have yet to respond. I'l go do some measurements today, and disect a berry or two and post my results. Neil "Tina Gibson" wrote in message news:xtcjb.104221$pl3.55041@pd7tw3no... "Leon Fisk" wrote in message ... On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 15:30:10 -0400, "Neil" wrote: There's a picture at http://www.panix.com/~nradisch/blueberries.jpg On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 16:56:41 -0400, "Neil" wrote: Ok, here's a closeup http://www.panix.com/~nradisch/blueberries2.jpg On 13 Oct 2003 22:29:13 GMT, (Marley1372) wrote: Its definitley a viburnum, probably Viburnum lentago. Definitley not a buckthorn because the berries are way too blue. Hi Toad, Try comparing what you suggested (viburnum lentago) to this link: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrol...s/vlentago.htm It doesn't look the same to me... The best I've been able to come up with is Ovalleaf Huckleberry or Bilbery (vaccinium ovalifolium). See: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrol...valifolium.htm http://www.esveld.nl/htmldiaen/v/vaoval.htm I suspect that it is some type of vaccinium. From what I could find out most of the blueberries grown as commercial crops came from the vaccinium varieties. Looking inside the drupe for seeds and counting them (if there are any) could be helpful in identifying. How tall this speciman is and diameter of the trunk would be useful too. It is hard to tell from the images. Another possibility (already suggested?) are the Huckleberry's from gaylussacia. Possibly gaylussacia baccata. The leaves look to be too big for this though. See: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrol...aylussacia.htm http://www.bbg.org/sci/nymf/encyclop...i/gay0010b.htm The oval leaf shape in the images that Neil provided and the apparent size (too big for most suggestions?) ruins many suggested identities... I have quite a few good shrub/tree books and this doesn't seem to be in any of them. Maybe Neil can provide a little history/background. Was this tree planted or did it occur naturally. Any guess on how old it might be? That could be useful in eliminating named species of recent origin. I haven't given up, but I have pretty much exhausted my current resources... -- Leon Fisk Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b Remove no.spam for email Funny this has become an obsession with me as well. The closest I could come up with was viburnum or vaccinium but the although the berries are the right color - the calyx are not right and the stem colors are not right. Are the berries very fleshy like a type of service berry? They almost look more crabapple like than berry like or possible wild cherry like but blue?? I can't google any more. I as well have many North American native plant books, edible plant books and shrub books that I cannot find these in - so is it really wild in NA?? Be nice to see someone solve this mystery!! Have you tried bringing it in to a local nursery or College. There must be a well versed horticulturalist in the area. |
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