Vaccinium padifolium

Vaccinium padifolium
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Vaccinium
Species:	V. padifolium
Binomial name
Vaccinium padifolium J.E. Sm. ex A.Rees

Vaccinium padifolium, Madeira blueberry, is very common at altitudes between 800-1700 m. It grows mainly in crevices and exposed slopes and mountain plains. Fruits are used in preservers. Endemic to the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, Portugal.

Description

Semi-evergreen scrub to small tree 1.5-6 m tall. New branches generally reddish and pubescent. Leaves often flushed dark red in autumn 2.5-7 x 1-2(2.5) cm, oblong to elliptic, acute to acuminate, petiole short, pubescent. Calyx 3-4 mm, with 5 short, broad lobes up to 1.5 mm. Flowers on curved pedicels in erect, axillary, bracteates racemes. Corolla, 7-10 mm, globose to campanulate, the lobes very short. There are often five broad rose stripes on the white corolla. Berries up to 12 x 10 mm, ripening blue-black.

Chemistry

The blue color of the berries is due to anthocyanins (Delphinidin 3-O-α-rhamnoside and anthocyanins triglycosides).

Picture gallery

• 
  Vaccinium padifolium shrubs on a slope in front of a view towards São Vicente in Madeira, Portugal.
• 
  Vaccinium padifolium bushes on a slope in front of a view towards São Vicente.
• 
  Vaccinium padifolium.
• 
  Vaccinium padifolium, flowers.
• 
  Vaccinium padifolium.
• 
  Vaccinium padifolium, autumn leaves.
• 
  Vaccinium padifolium, over 2 m high shrub.

References

• Flora Endémica da Madeira, Roberto Jardim, David Francisco, Múchia, Publicações, 1ªed, 2000, Portugal, ISBN 972-8622-00-7
• J. R. Press and M. J. Short, Flora of Madeira, ISBN 9781 898 29880 9, 2001, Natural History Museum, UK,