Vaccinium corymbosum
Vaccinium corymbosum L. (N-Am.) – A very rare escape from cultivation. Known from one location in a nature reserve in Retie (Goorvijver) since ca. 1985, probably introduced by birds. A single bush grows in a wood margin near a fen on sandy, acidic substrate. It is not very healthy and a future naturalisation is unlikely. However, in identical and relatively nearby habitats in the Netherlands Vaccinium corymbosum is well-naturalised (Adema 1986). Furthermore also discovered in a nature reserve in Herbofaye (Hautes Fagnes) in 2009 (a single but abudantly fruiting bush). In this area Vaccinium corymbosum was introduced on purpose in the 1950’s (Van Oye & Haeck 1953). In 2010 furthermore discovered in small number in a coniferous woodland in Meeuwen-Gruitrode (Oudsberg), obviously as an escape from a nearby nursery (see also: http://waarnemingen.be/waarneming/view/50532915).
The exact identity of the escaped representatives of Vaccinium subgenus Cyanococcus in western Europe is unclear. Some plants perfectly match Vaccinium corymbosum, others rather V. angustifolium Ait. However, most are intermediate and probably belong to their hybrid (Kowarik & Schepker 1995, Schepker & al. 1997, Schepker & Kowarik 1998). These plants are considered as invasive xenophytes in parts of Germany (Schepker & Kowarik l.c.). The Belgian material is insufficient but most likely also belongs to this hybrid (see also van der Meijden 2005).
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Selected literature:
Adema F. (1986) Vaccinium corymbosum L. in Nederland ingeburgerd. Gorteria 13: 65-69.
Clement E.J. (1984) Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) established in S. Hants (v.c. 11). BSBI News 37: 20-21.
Essl F. (2004) Erstfund eines verwilderten Vorkommens der Kultur-Heidelbeere (Vaccinium angustifolium x corymbosum) in Österreich. Linzer biol. Beitr. 36(2): 785-796.
Kowarik I. & Schepker H. (1995) Zur Einführung, Ausbreitung und Einbürgerung nordamerikanischer Vaccinium-Sippen der Untergattung Cyanococcus in Niedersachsen. Schr.-R. f. Vegetationskde. 27: 413-421.
Schepker H. & Kowarik I. (1998) Invasive North American blueberry hybrids (Vaccinium corymbosum x angustifolium) in northern Germany. In: Starfinger U. & al. (eds.), Plant Invasions: ecological mechanisms and human responses. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden: 253-260.
Schepker H., Kowarik I. & Garve E. (1997) Verwilderungen nordamerikanischer Kultur-Heidelbeeren (Vaccinium subgen. Cyanococcus) in Niedersachsen un deren Einschätzung aus Naturschutzsicht. Natur und Landschaft 72(7/8): 346-351.
Van der Meijden R. (2005) Heukels’ Flora van Nederland (23e druk). Wolters-Noordhoff, Groningen: 685 p.
Van Oye P. & Haeck M.-Cl. (1953) Une nouvelle acquisition (Vaccinium corymbosum) pour la Haute Fagne et la Belgique. Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belg. 86: 237-238.
Vander Kloet S.P. (1978) Systematics, distribution and nomenclature of the polymorphic Vaccinium angustifolium. Rhodora 80: 358-376.
Vander Kloet S.P. (1980) The taxonomy of the highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum. Can. J. Bot. 58: 1187-1201.