Farkleberry
(Vaccinium arboreum)
Farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)
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Leila Dasher
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Leila Dasher
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Leila Dasher | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Leila Dasher | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-09-29T13:35:45-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Vaccinium arboreum, commonly known as Farkleberry, is a deciduous or semi-deciduous shrub native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest edges, and dry upland areas in the Southeastern and Central United States. It typically grows to 3–5 m (7.5-12.5 feet) tall, with a diameter at breast height of up to 35 cm (14 inches). The plant’s appearance varies with its environment; in the southern part of its range, it may retain its leaves year-round, becoming evergreen, while in the north, it is more likely to be deciduous due to colder winters. Farkleberry’s white, bell-shaped flowers are small, about 3–4 mm (0.12-0.16 inches) in diameter, with a five-lobed corolla, and are produced in racemes up to 5 cm (2 inches) long. These flowers are not particularly showy but are attractive to pollinators. The fruit is a round dry berry, approximately 6 mm (0.24 inches) in diameter, which turns from green to black as it ripens. While edible, the berries are bitter and tough, though they provide food for wildlife.
Farkleberry is valued for its adaptability and can be used in naturalistic plantings, as a border shrub, or for wildlife gardens. It offers the notable benefit of being drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils, although it can tolerate a range of soil types. There are no major diseases or pests that commonly affect this plant, making it relatively low maintenance. However, it is not widely cultivated and may be difficult to find in nurseries.CC BY-SA 4.0
Farkleberry is valued for its adaptability and can be used in naturalistic plantings, as a border shrub, or for wildlife gardens. It offers the notable benefit of being drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils, although it can tolerate a range of soil types. There are no major diseases or pests that commonly affect this plant, making it relatively low maintenance. However, it is not widely cultivated and may be difficult to find in nurseries.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
- Height: 7-12 feet
- Width: 2-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous, Semi-Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to open woodlands, forest edges, and dry upland areas in the Southeastern United States
Other Names
Common Names: Sparkleberry, Tree Sparkleberry, Tree-Huckleberry, Winter Huckleberry
Scientific Names: , Vaccinium arboreum, Batodendron arboreum, Vaccinium arboreum var. glaucescens, Vaccinium diffusum, Batodendron andrachniforme, Batodendron glaucescens, Vaccinium arborescens var. glaucescens, Vaccinium arboreum var. arboreum,
GBIF Accepted Name: Vaccinium arboreum Marshall