Huckleberry is a name used in North America for several plants in the family Ericaceae,
in two closely related genera: Vaccinium and Gaylussacia. The huckleberry is the state
fruit of Idaho.
Nomenclature The name 'huckleberry' is a North American
variation of the English dialectal name, variously called 'hurtleberry' or 'whortleberry' for
the bilberry. In North America the name was applied to numerous plant variations all bearing
small berries with colors that may be red, blue or black. It is the common name for various
Gaylussacia species, and some Vaccinium species, such as Vaccinium parvifolium, the red huckleberry,
and is also applied to other Vaccinium species which may also be called blueberries depending
upon local custom, as in parts of Appalachia. The fruit of the various species of plant
called huckleberries is generally edible and tasty. The berries are small and round, 5–10 mm
in diameter and look like dark blueberries. In taste, the berries range from tart to sweet,
with a flavor similar to that of a blueberry, especially in blue- and purple-colored varieties.
However, many kinds of huckleberries have a noticeable, distinct taste different from
blueberries, and some have noticeably larger seeds. Huckleberries are consumed by many
animals, including bears, birds, and humans. The 'garden huckleberry' is not a true huckleberry
but is instead a member of the nightshade family.
Gaylussacia Four species of huckleberries in the genus
Gaylussacia are common in eastern North America, especially G. baccata, also known as the black
huckleberry. Vaccinium
From coastal Central California to southern Washington and British Columbia, the red huckleberry
is found in the maritime-influenced plant community. In the Pacific Northwest and mountains
of Montana and Idaho, this huckleberry species and several others, such as the black Vaccinium
huckleberry and blue huckleberry, grow in various habitats, such as mid-alpine regions
up to 11,500 feet elevation, mountain slopes, forests or lake basins. The plant grows best
in damp, acidic soil having volcanic origin, attaining under optimal conditions heights
of 1.5 to 2 m, usually ripening in mid-to-late summer or later at high elevations.
Where the climate is favorable, certain species of huckleberry, such as V. membranaceum, V.
parvifolium and V. deliciosum, are used in ornamental plantings.
Nutrients and phytochemicals Only limited research has been applied to
define the content of essential nutrients in huckleberries, showing none with high content.
Two huckleberry species, V. membranaceum and V. ovatum, were studied for phytochemical
content, showing that V. ovatum had greater total anthocyanin and polyphenols than did
V. membranaceum. Each species contained 15 anthocyanins but in different proportions.
Use as food or traditional medicine Traditionally, huckleberries were collected
by Native American and First Nations people along the Pacific coast, interior British
Columbia and Montana for use as food or traditional medicine.
Huckleberries can be processed into numerous food products, including juice, tea, soup,
syrup, jam, pudding, candy, pie, muffins, pancakes or salad dressings. Traditional medical
applications included treating pain, heart ailments or infections.
Use in slang Huckleberries hold a place in archaic American
English slang. The tiny size of the berries led to their use as a way of referring to
something small, often affectionately as in the lyrics of Moon River. The phrase "a huckleberry
over my persimmon" was used to mean "a bit beyond my abilities". "I'm your huckleberry"
is a way of saying that one is just the right person for a given job. The range of slang
meanings of huckleberry in the 19th century was fairly large, also referring to significant
persons or nice persons. See also
Vaccinium ovatum References