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Ericaceae: Gaylussacia bigeloviana (Fernald) Sorrie & Weakley
(bog huckleberry)

Synonym: Gaylussacia dumosa (Andrews) Torr. & A. Gray var. bigeloviana Fernald 1

Two species in the genus Gaylussacia (huckleberries) occur in Nova Scotia: G. baccata (black huckleberry) and G. bigeloviana (bog huckleberry). Both are are deciduous woody shrubs with five-parted flowers and a berry-like drupe containing 8 to 10 seed-like nutlets; leaves are simple, entire and resin-dotted. G. bigeloviana is a small shrub, 30 - 75 cm in height. Leaves are oval shaped, widest above the middle, thick (leathery), shiny on the upper surface and dotted with yellow to orange resinous glands; leaf margins are finely frilled and there is a distinct mucronate leaf tip. ("The midrib appears to extend beyond the tip of the leaf.")2. White to pink, bell shaped flowers borne on racemes appear in June and July in N.S. The fruit is covered with short hairs, and is black and sweet when mature. G. bigeloviana occurs in bogs and barrens near the coast of Nova Scotia. A coastal plain species, its range is eastern North America in states and provinces near the coast from Newfoundland south to Deleware, with disjunct ppulations in North Carolina and South Carolina.1 G. bigeloviana is secure in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, vulnerable in P.E.I,, critically imperilled in Quebec; its status has not been assessed for Newfoundland and most states.
Sources | Notes & Refs | Selected Web Resources | Line Drawing

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July 7, 2006. Halifax County: Polly's Cove barrens and bogs (near Peggy's Cove). Photographer: JackPine.
Gaylussacia bigeloviana

Habitat: Quaking mat by bog pond.

Gaylussacia bigeloviana
Gaylussacia bigeloviana

Habitat: Hummocky bog.

Gaylussacia bigeloviana
Gaylussacia bigeloviana

Habitat: Barrens.

Gaylussacia bigeloviana

The young leaves at this time had a lot of red coloration, especially on the barrens.


Jul, 29, 2007. Halifax County: Polly's Cove barrens and bogs (near Peggy's Cove). Photographer: JackPine.
Gaylussacia bigeloviana Gaylussacia bigeloviana

Bar is 1 cm.

Gaylussacia bigeloviana Gaylussacia bigeloviana

Bar is 1 cm.


Aug 19, 2005. Halifax County: Polly's Cove barrens & bogs. Photographer: JackPine.
Gaylussacia bigeloviana

G. baccata (left) and G. bigeloviana (right), upper leaf surfaces. Bar is 1 cm.

Gaylussacia bigeloviana

G. baccata (left) and G. bigeloviana (right), lower leaf surfaces.

Gaylussacia bigeloviana

Sep. 29, 2005. Halifax County: Polly's Cove barrens & bogs. Photographer: JackPine.
Gaylussacia baccata

Leaf tips of V. angustifolium, G. baccata, G. bigeloviana. Units are 1 mm.

G bigeloviana can be distinguished from G. baccata by its mucronate leaf tip and more leathery texture.

Margins

Leaf margins of V. angustifolium, G. baccata, G. bigeloviana.. Gland tipped hairs can be seen in leaves of V. angustifolium and G. bigeloviana. Bar is 1 mm.


Oct 3-7 2006. Halifax County: Polly's Cove barrens & bogs. Photographer: JackPine.
Gaylussacia bigeloviana

Bar is 1 cm. Eight seeds were taken from a separate berry.

Gaylussacia bigeloviana
Gaylussacia bigeloviana

Selected Web Resources


Notes & References

  1. In Roland et al. (1998) this species is cited as Gaylussacia dumosa. Sorrie and Weakley (2007) present evidence that 4 species should be recognized within the Gaylussacia dumosa complex. G. bigeloviana alone is found from Deleware north; it is distinguished from other species by morphological features and habitat. See: Sorrie, B.A. & Weakley, A.S. 2007. Note on the Gaylussacia dumosa complex (Ericaceae). Journal of the Botanical Research Insitute of Texas 1 (1): 333-344. PDF available at http://www.brit.org/fileadmin/Publications/JBotResInstTexas_1_1_/23_Sorrie_Weakley_Gaylussacia_333-344.pdf. Thanks to Sue Meades for bringing this paper to our attention.
  2. Roland, A.E., Zinck, M. and Owen, E. 1998. Roland's Flora of Nova Scotia, 3rd Ed. Halifax: Nimbus & Nova Scotia Museum.