Identification: Low-Growing Leafy Plant with Somewhat Glossy Leaves

Hello Everyone,

Do you know what this plant is? It grows low on the ground, and has nice dense leaves that are somewhat glossy.

Location : Pacific Ranges
Elevation : 1200 m
Season : Late July

Jason

 

...and another Vaccinium. Same challenge without fruit.

 

I will try to take more pictures later this year.

 

With those leaves probably V. membranaceum - it's comparatively distinct.

 

I see. I did wonder about this plant because it has an overall look that has similarities to other huckleberry species I've seen - although those ones tend to have rounder leaves. What I find most confusing is when a single huckleberry plant has both rounder and more pointed leaves, compounded by variations in leave shape, size and surface texture between very young and older plants.

 

As mentioned best to be seeing these plants in fruit. Meanwhile if you look at the Pojar & Mackinnon pocket guide there is a table comparing characters of native Vaccinium.

 

And if you really want to delve into Vaccinium, know that hybridization is a complicating factor among these shrubby montane species.

 

Will look into it.

 

Do the wild plants form hybrids naturally? And do the hybrids make offsprings?

 

The wild plants form hybrids naturally. I don't know if the hybrids make offspring in Vaccinium. They seem to in Arctostaphylos where Arctostaphylos uva-ursi intersects with Arctostaphylos columbiana