Species Spotlight: Lowbush Blueberry

Mohonk Preserve
Jul 20, 2017 · 2 min read
Lowbush Blueberry© John Thompson

Besides being popular with wildlife, the ripe fruit of the Lowbush blueberry is much sought after by people. This popularity has a long history: in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Shawangunk Ridge residents picked blueberries to sell to distributors for seasonal cash to supplement their subsistence lifestyle. When encountering blueberries in the Shawangunks, please be mindful and do not over pick — many animals depend on the berries for food.

© Michael Neil O’Donnell

Looks like: This small shrub grows up to 20 inches tall and forms dense, low thickets. It has greenish bark and small oval leaves.

Grows in: Acidic soil in open deciduous woods, barrens, rock slabs, burned areas, and roadsides.

Niche: Bees and flies pollinate the flowers, while animals such as black bear, fox, coyote, chipmunks, raccoons, and songbirds dine on the fruit.

Threats: Maturing forest with closed canopy, which blocks out the light that lowbush blueberry needs to grow.

Blueberry Flowers © Michael Neil O’Donnell

Frequency: Common

Reproduction: Blooms in late April with small, bell-shaped white or pink flowers. Berries ripen as early as June and in some years can still be found in October.

Fun facts: This is the earliest blooming and ripening of the nine blueberry species found on the Shawangunk Ridge, and can sometimes produce black fruit.

No one said science couldn’t be fun. Check out this report on the taste and morphology of Shawangunk Blueberries and Huckleberries by Preserve co-founder Daniel Smiley and Director of Research Emeritus Paul Huth.

)
Mohonk Preserve

Written by

With over 8,000 acres on the Shawangunk Ridge, Mohonk Preserve is the largest member and visitor-supported nature preserve in New York State.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade