Alaska Blueberry

Vaccinium alaskanum
Ericaceae/Heather Family

Alaskan blueberry is one of the dominant shrubs in Alaskan coastal forest and in forest openings from sea level up into high alpine valleys. This deciduous shrub can reach 6' tall. The leaves are dark green above and whitish below. Bell shaped flowers are pink to pink-bronze and emerge either with or after the leaves. Blueberries in Alaska are pollinated by bumblebees. The edible berries are bluish-black to purplish-black and 7-10mm across. The berries were eaten fresh or dried by virtually all coastal native groups and are equally enjoyed by Alaskans today. Blueberries are also an important food source for everything from small birds to bears.