Huckleberry ( Vaccinium )

This fantastic wild edible can be found growing throughout northwestern United States and Canada. Huckleberry has remarkable nutrition and health benefits, huckleberry is a antioxidant power house.

“Did you know Huckleberry was one of the few plant species to survive on the slops of Mount St. Helens when the volcano erupted in 1980, and exists as a prominent mountain slope bush in 2017. .”

Description

Huckleberry plants can grow between 30 cm to 180 cm ( 1 to 6 feet ) tall, the berries are small and round, they can grow between 5 mm –10 mm ( 0.20 – 0.39 in ) in diameter, and look alot like large dark blueberries with colors ranging from dark blue to dark red depending on the variety, each berry containing 6 seeds. The berries flavor can be a bit tart or sweet depending on the time harvested. When drought stress occurs, the plants become stunted with red leaves and reduced berry production. You can find Huckleberries growing in association with true firs (Abies spp.), hemlocks (Tsuga spp.) and bear-grass (Xerophyllum tenax Michx.).

Habitat

Huckleberry plants require elevations between 2,000 to 11,000 feet to grow, they thrive in acidic mountain soil with volcanic compounds, ranging between 4 - 5 in pH. They will tolerate full sun but they prefer to grow in partial shaded areas.

Picture was taken in Lumby BC Canada.

Harvesting

Harvesting wild huckleberries can be very labour intensive as they like to grow in mountainous terrain, but at the same time it can be very rewarding as well. One should bring mosquito nets to wear while out, also have a bucket or container with a string attached to it this allows you to have it hang around your neck so you can use both hands to pick the berries. When out harvesting wild Huckleberries be sure to harvest them in a unpolluted area, as well always try to harvest sustainably, try to leave some fruit for the wild life that depends on it for survival, also try not to disturb the area to much while foraging this will help insure future harvest and enjoyment.

Nutrition

Amount Per 1 cup