Huckleberry (plant)

Huckleberry is a name used in North America for several plants in the family Ericaceae, in two closely related genera: Vaccinium and Gaylussacia.

The huckleberry is the state fruit of Idaho.

The name 'huckleberry' is a North American variation of the English dialectal name variously called 'hurtleberry' or 'whortleberry' /ˈwɜːrtəlˌbɛrɪ/ for the bilberry. In North America the name was applied to numerous plant variations all bearing small berries with colors that may be red, blue or black. It is the common name for various Gaylussacia species, and some Vaccinium species, such as Vaccinium parvifolium, the red huckleberry, and is also applied to other Vaccinium species which may also be called blueberries depending upon local custom, as in New England and parts of Appalachia.

The fruit of the various species of plant called huckleberries is generally edible and versatile in foods. The berries are small and round, 5–10 mm in diameter, and look like large dark blueberries. In taste, the berries range from tart to sweet, with a flavor similar to that of a blueberry, especially in blue- and purple-colored varieties. However, many kinds of huckleberries have a noticeable tart taste, different from blueberries, and some have noticeably larger seeds. Huckleberries are consumed by many animals, including bears, birds, deer, and humans.

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