Envoy at 04:18, 1 August 2007

2007-08-01T04:18:26Z

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''For other uses of the word "Huckleberry", see [[Huckleberry Finn]] and [[Huckleberry Hound]].''

[[Image:Huckleberry.jpg|thumb|right|Wild huckleberry in the [[Mount Hood National Forest]]. The floral remnants, signifying a [[false berry]], are visible on the apex of the fruit.]]

'''Huckleberry''' is a name used in [[North America]] for several [[plant]]s in two closely related genera in the family [[Ericaceae]]: ''[[Gaylussacia]]'' and ''[[Vaccinium]]''.

While some ''Vaccinium'' species, such as the [[Vaccinium parvifolium|Red Huckleberry]], are always called huckleberries, other species may be called [[blueberry|blueberries]] or huckleberries depending upon local custom. Similar ''Vaccinium'' species in [[Europe]] are called [[bilberry|bilberries]].

Note that there is much confusion in naming of berries in [[American English]]. The 'garden huckleberry' (''[[Solanum]] melanocerasum'') is not considered to be a true huckleberry but a member of the nightshade family.

The [[fruit]] of the various species of plant called huckleberry is generally edible. The berries are small and round, usually less than 5 mm in diameter, and contain 10 relatively large seeds. Berries range in color according to species from bright red, through dark purple, and into the blues. In taste the berries range from tart to sweet, with a flavor similar to that of a [[blueberry]], especially in blue/purple colored varieties. Huckleberries are a favorite of many animals such as [[bear]]s and [[human]]s.

==Environment==
[[Image:BogHBy.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Bog]] Huckleberry at Polly's Cove, [[Nova Scotia]]]]
In the [[Pacific Northwest]] of [[North America]], the huckleberry plant can be found in mid-alpine regions, often on the lower slopes of mountains. The plant grows best in damp, acidic soil. Under optimal conditions, huckleberries can be as much as 1.5-2 m high, and usually ripen in mid-to-late summer; later at higher elevations.

==Trivia==
*The Huckleberry is the state fruit of [[Idaho]].
*"Huckleberry" is the brand name of a camera periscope designed for Apple's [[MacBook]] computers which appeared on the market in 2006.
*The Huckleberry Railroad is a heritage train located in [[Flint, Michigan]], so named because it ran so slow; a person could jump off the train, pick huckleberries and jump back on the train with minimum effort. [http://www.geneseecountyparks.org/huckleberry_railroad.htm]

==External links==
*[http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/polycomm/pressrel/crable/crable082099.htm Box Huckleberry] is one of the oldest organisms on the planet.

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[[Category:Ericaceae]]
[[Category:fruit]]

[[simple:Huckleberry]]

Huckleberry - Revision history

Envoy at 04:18, 1 August 2007