31 May 2023.
Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States
Locality: Blackwater State Forest: Wolfe Creek.
Coordinates: 30.8056, -86.9589
(Map it)
Elevation: 49m.
Georeference protocol: Lat/lon determined by GPS
Habitat: Wild Habitat
Environment description: Beautiful xeric pine-oak upland community. Transitions to mesic slopes and then to seepage bottom, stringer wetland community adjacent to the Wolfe Creek. Slope: 15%. Aspect: Northwest. Elevation recorded as 160 feet.
Number of plants sampled: 10
Associated species: Diospyros virginiana; Ilex opaca; Ilex vomitoria; Pinus clausa; Quercus falcata; Quercus geminata; Quercus laevis; Quercus margarettiae; Quercus incana; Quercus nigra; Smilax pumila; Licania michauxii; Vaccinium darrowii; Vaccineum stamineum; Gaylussacia tomentosa/nana; Ceanothus americanus; Ceanothus microphyllus.
Comment: Dwarf huckleberry is a deciduous groundcover to small shrub. Erect, 1-2 feet tall, branches from the base, and spreads by rhizomes, often forming small colonies. Flowers small, white to pale pink, in early spring. Fruits shiny, pubescent purplish-black berries that ripen in summer. Leaves are alternate, leathery, green, elliptic to ovate, with pointed apex. Undersides are glandular dotted. Leaves turn red in the fall. Scattered distribution; large patches common. Seed collected from 10 plants. Excellent landscape plant for dry sites. Full sun to partial shade. Multiple ornamental characteristics, and an excellent pollinator plant!