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| Farkleberry, Sparkleberry, Whortleberry, Tree Huckleberry, Gooseberry, Winter Huckleberry Vaccinium arboreum Ericaceae Farkleberry may be found in sandy soils in the pinelands and open mixed forests along wooded streams of Eastern Texas, east to Virginia and north to Missouri, in moist acid soils. This coarse spreading shrub or small tree produces white, spicily fragrant bell-shaped flowers on leafy racemes (elongated inflorescences). Farkleberry is probably best used as an understory plant where it can show off its dark, shiny, leathery leaves during the growing season, which in the fall transform to crimson or deep red, then purple and remain through most of the winter. Its edible fruit is eaten by several bird species. It also provided wood for tool handles and the bark was used for tanning leather.
Plant Habit or Use: small shrub
Exposure: partial sun Flower Color: white Blooming Period: spring Fruit Characteristics: shiny blue - black drupe Height: 12 to 25 feet Width: 6 to 12 feet
Plant Character: evergreen Heat Tolerance: high Water Requirements: Soil Requirements: acid Additional Comments:
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