Chapters 4.36
4.36. oval-leaved blueberries(Vaccinium ovalifolium)
Madelyn Rau , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Rau,M. (2022) Fleshy Fruits. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Introduction
Oval-leaved Blueberries are native to North America and have been collected for hundreds of years by Indigenous peoples. These berries have been gathered for health benefits and other uses for the benefit of the Indigenous peoples in several different ways. This paper is to help educate its readers about the oval-leaved blueberry, its history and what it had to offer for the Indigenous peoples and what it still has to offer us Canadians today.
Description
The Oval-leaved Blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) can also be referred to as the Black Huckleberry, Early Blueberry or Oval-leaved (Bressette, 2016). This blueberry grows as a small shrub that is 15-60cm tall. The shrubs' first year branches tend to be very velvety, and the leaves are oval shaped with a point on the end, they are hairy and alternate around the entire plant (Biodôme de Montréal, 2021). The flowers that grow from the shrub are tubular shaped and are pigmented pink or white (Biodôme de Montréal, 2021). At the end of each branch the flowers grow in a cluster (Biodôme de Montréal, 2021). The flowers will either appear before or around the same time as the leaves on the branches (Whitehead and Starzomski, 2014). When growing oval-leaved blueberries, they reproduce by seed (Biodôme de Montréal, 2021).
Association With Indigenous Peoples
The Indigenous Peoples used the oval-leaved blueberries for many different purposes. This specific species of blueberry was enjoyed by many, including all the Indigenous coastal groups in North America (Gunther, 1973; Turner, 1975; Heller, 1976; Norton, 1981; Galloway, 1982; Turner et al., 1983; Kari, 1987). When consuming the berries, they taste extremely sweet and fresh, depending on how they are eaten. The Indigenous Peoples ate the berries raw, dried, and made with oil or oolichan grease (Gunther, 1973; Turner, 1975; Heller, 1976; Norton, 1981; Galloway, 1982; Turner et al., 1983; Kari, 1987). The berries could also be used to make wine or jelly which is how they are still used today (Gunther, 1973; Turner, 1975; Heller, 1976; Norton, 1981; Galloway, 1982; Turner et al., 1983; Kari, 1987).
Consumption
The Oval-leaved Blueberries can be consumed in many ways including, raw, dried, cooked, mashed, juiced, etc. When the berries are eaten raw, they are very fresh and sour tasting; when the berries are dried, they taste similar to dried grapes, also known as raisins. When the berries are mashed or juiced it can be used to create a wine/juice or a jelly (Gunther, 1973; Turner, 1975; Heller, 1976; Norton, 1981; Galloway, 1982; Turner et al., 1983; Kari, 1987). The berries were commonly made and eaten with oil or ooligan grease and were sometimes added to other berries such as salal or red elderberries (Turner, 1975; Norton, 1981; Turner and Efrat, 1982). The berries were a flavour enhancer when added to other dishes such as dried meat (Biodôme de Montréal, 2021). Other parts of the oval-leaved blueberry shrub can also be ingested including the leaves as they can be used to make a tea (Biodôme de Montréal, 2021).
Benefits To Humans And Animals
A huge benefit of oval-leaved blueberries for both humans and animals is that they can be used as a food and more importantly a healthy fruit. The leaves and berries of the oval-leaved blueberry plant can be used to make tea, this tea can help fight against and treat diarrhea and enteritis (Biodôme de Montréal, 2021). The fruit is a great source to get Vitamin C in your system and can also be used as an antiseptic, astringent, which are used to cleanse the skin, a carminative, which is used to prevent the formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract and a hypoglycaemic, which can be used to treat for diabetes (J.E.Sm., 2010-2022). The berries are also a very important food source for black and brown bears.
Limitations
Plant diseases are a big limitation when it comes to growing oval-leaved blueberries. One of these diseases is known as Canker, which is commonly seen affecting these plants (Glority LLC Limited, n.d.). Canker plant disease will affect the plant by creating a patching stem skin which as it worsens will change the colour of the branch and kill off that entire branch (Glority LLC Limited, n.d.). It is easy to prevent canker plant disease, as they just have to cut off the infected branches and leaves before the disease spreads to the rest of the plant. (Glority LLC Limited, n.d.).
References
1.Biodôme de Montreal. (2021). Velvet-leaved blueberry, Canada blueberry. Retrieved October 1, 2022, from https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome-flora/velvet-leaved-blueberry-canada-blueberry
2.Bressette, D. K., M.S. (2016, February 22). Oval-leaved blueberry, Vaccinium ovalifolium. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from http://nativeplantspnw.com/oval-leaved-blueberry-vaccinium-ovalifolium/
3.Glority LLC Limited. (n.d.). Oval-leaf bilberry care (watering, fertilize, pruning, propagation). Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Vaccinium_ovalifolium.html
4.Kuhnlein, H. V., & Turner, N. J. (2020). Chapter 4 - Descriptions and Uses of Plant Foods by Indigenous Peoples. In Traditional Plant Foods of Canadian Indigenous Peoples: Nutrition, botany, and use (Vol. 8, pp. 118-120). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
5.Russel, M. (2014). Oval-leaved-blueberry-vaccinium-ovalifolium-30987.jpg. Michael Russell Photography. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://mrussellphotography.photoshelter.com/image/I0000UBBOroWOv0U
6.Sm, J. E. (2010-2022). Vaccinium ovalifolium . Pfaf Plant Search. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Vaccinium+ovalifolium
7.Whitehead, P., & Starzomski, B. (2014). Oval-leaved blueberry • vaccinium ovalifolium. Biodiversity of the Central Coast.