Blueberry

Blueberry, common name applied to several related shrubs (see Heath) and to their blue or black fruit. The lowbush, or swamp, blueberry and the highbush blueberry are the two most common species raised in the United States. The lowbush blueberry averages less than 1 m (less than 3 ft) in height; the highbush blueberry ranges from 1.8 to 6 m (6 to 20 ft). Although blueberries are cultivated in many regions of the world, large quantities of the shrubs grow wild. Mostly deciduous, the bushes bear sweet blue or black berries, which grow either singly or in clusters. Branches of the evergreen, also known as huckleberry greens, are used in flower arrangements and in other decorations.

Scientific classification: Blueberries belong to the family Ericaceae. The lowbush, or swamp, blueberry is classified as Vaccinium angustifolium, and the highbush blueberry as Vaccinium corymbosum.