Ohelo berry
| Scientific Name | Vaccinium reticulatum |
|---|---|
| Other Names | ʻŌhelo ʻai, Hawaiian Cranberry |
| Edible Part | Berry |
| Hardiness Zone | 9 |
| Origin | Hawaii |
Ohelo berry, Vaccinium reticulatum, known as ʻŌhelo ʻai in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering plant in the heather family, Ericaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. It grows at altitudes of 640–3,700 m (2,100–12,100 ft) on lava flows and freshly disturbed volcanic ash on Maui and Hawaiʻi, and less commonly on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Molokaʻi. Adaptations to volcanic activity include the ability to survive ash falls of over 25 cm (9.8 in) depth.
Contents |
Plant Description
ʻŌhelo ʻai is a shrub usually 0.1–1.3 m (0.33–4.3 ft) tall, rarely up to 2 m (6.6 ft). The leaves are evergreen, spirally arranged, leathery, oval, 1–3 cm (0.39–1.2 in) long, red when freshly emerging, then green or green with reddish patches.
Flower Description
The flowers are bell-shaped, 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) long, variable in color, red to yellow or pink.
Berry Description
The fruit is an edible berry 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) diameter, ranging in color from blue to purple to red to orange to yellow. The color does not necessarily indicate the ripeness of the berries. The berries taste similar to the related cranberries, less ripe ones being tart, while ripe berries are quite sweet. They are an important food source for the nēnē (Branta sandvicensis); the seeds are dispersed in the birds' droppings.
Seed Description
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Varieties
- Kilauea - needs description
Propagation
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Seed Propagation
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Growing Conditions
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Food Uses
References
- Wikipedia
- Scientists Release First Cultivated 'Ōhelo Berry for Hawaii, USDA, Yao, Stephanie, 9/24/2010
