Kingdom Plantae Family Ericaceae Rank Species | Order Ericales Genus Vaccinium | |
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Similar Vaccinium cylindraceum, Ocotea foetens, Laurus novocanariensis, Clethra arborea, Persea indica | ||
Vaccinium padifolium (Madeira blueberry) is very common at elevations between 800-1700 m. It grows mainly in crevices and exposed slopes and mountain plains. Fruits are used in preservers. Endemic to the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, Portugal.
Contents
Description
Semi-evergreen scrub to small tree 1.5-6 m tall. New branches generally reddish and pubescent. Leaves often flushed dark red in autumn 2.5-7 x 1-2(2.5) cm, oblong to elliptic, acute to acuminate, petiole short, pubescent. Calyx 3-4 mm, with 5 short, broad lobes up to 1.5 mm. Flowers on curved pedicels in erect, axillary, bracteate racemes. Corolla, 7-10 mm, globose to campanulate, the lobes very short. There are often five broad rose stripes on the white corolla. Berries up to 12 x 10 mm, ripening blue-black.
Chemistry
The blue color of the berries is due to anthocyanins (Delphinidin 3-O-α-rhamnoside and anthocyanins triglycosides).
