Hawaiian Vaccinium
Clade of flowering plants / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hawaiian Vaccinium (blueberries) is a monophyletic group (a clade including all extant species and their common ancestor) comprising three species endemic to the archipelago of Hawaii: Vaccinium reticulatum, Vaccinium dentatum and Vaccinium calycinum, all commonly known in Hawaii as ʻōhelo.[1][2][3]
This article is written like a research paper or scientific journal. (April 2022) |
Hawaiian Vaccinium | |
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Vaccinium reticulatum | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Ericaceae |
Genus: | Vaccinium |
Clade: | Hawaiian Vaccinium |
While Vaccinium as a larger group is characterized by an inferior ovary and brightly-colored berries that are indehiscent,[2] the Hawaiian group has traditionally been distinguished as having uniquely well-developed calyx lobes and longer calyx tube depth, more cylindrical corolla shape (as compared to urceolate-globose), reduced or absent staminal awns (as opposed to well-developed), longer pedicel length, and — compared with temperate relatives — much longer leaf persistence.[3] They are terrestrial or epiphytic shrubs, typically 1 - 6 feet in height, occasionally up to 10 feet, ranging widely throughout the Hawaiian islands over relatively high elevation (500 - 3,700 m). The three species thrive in many plant communities, except for Vaccinium reticulatum, which tends to thrive around lava flows, yet is not limited to them.[1][4]
Within the group, distinct taxa vary in berry color (red, yellow, black, blue), bloom color (white, red, pink and green), foliage shape and size, and pedicel length.[5][4] Vaccinium reticulatum and Vaccinium dentatum are evergreen, while Vaccinium calycinum is deciduous.[1][5] All three species tend to fruit and flower throughout the year, but maximum flower and fruit production generally occurs during May - July.[5] Outcrossing between all three species has been successful, and many hybrids have been described. All three species are also capable of selfing, but resulting seed viability differs throughout the species complex.[5]