Gaylussacia brachycera

Boxed huckleberry is a low shrub with branches that rise to about 12" to 18" from underground, creeping stems, known as rhizomes. Its glossy, leathery leaves lack the resinous dots of other huckleberries, and it holds its leaves year-round while the others are deciduous. Its flowers, white or pinkish, are bell shaped. Fruits are similar to blueberries, but have fewer, larger seeds. Boxed huckleberry is on the Pennsylvania threatened plant species list. Zone 5 - 7.

Box huckleberry is a long lived perennial that belongs to the Health Family (Ericaceae). Box huckleberry blooms in May and early June.

Natural habitat for Box huckleberry is typically found on north facing slopes over acidic shale bedrock. Soil preparation should be the same as Blueberry or Lingonberry, where it's rhizomes can spread in layers of forest floor like conditions. Populations are known from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessean and Kentucky. It's considered a species of special concern throughout most of this range.

Due to import restrictions we are unable to ship Berried Treasure Native Box Huckleberry (aka Whortleberry) to CA, Canada, Europe,...