Description

Vaccinium Ovatum – Sqw’uqwtsus (Stz’uminus Halkomelem)

Upright, spreading shrub with alternating leathery leaves, brightish pink flowers, and black round berries.

Height: 1-4 m.

Edible: Y

Medicine:  Y

Other Uses: N

Poisonous: N

Soil: Moist, acidic soil

Watering: Moist to slightly dry

Sun: Shade or sun

Usually found at: 

Pollinators & wildlife:

Ornamental: Evergreen with nice, bright pink flowers

 

Leaves: Shiny, alternately arranged, egg-shaped leaves are 2 to 3 centimeters (0.8-1.2 inches) long and about a centimeter wide (0.4 inches) with finely serrated edges

Flowers: 3- to 10-flowered axillary clusters; corollas bright pinkish, narrowly bell-shaped, about 7.5 mm long, the lobes short, spreading, and triangular

Berries: Round, edible black berries up to a centimeter (0.4 inches) in diameter.

First Nations uses: Traditionally, berries are eaten fresh, usually with oil. They are also sun or smoke dried, partly mashed, pressed into cake form, and wrapped in leaves or bark. The leaves of the Evergreen Huckleberry may be dried and used for medicinal purposes. Teas made from the leaves are known to be used to lower or modify blood sugar levels and therefore are believed to be useful in treating diabetes. It is also believed that they stimulate appetite, and have astringent and antiseptic qualities that are useful in urinary disorders.