Vaccinium Piliferum

Vaccinium Piliferum Latest News

Recently, researchers have rediscovered ‘Vaccinium piliferum’ in the remote forests of Vijoynagar in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district nearly after 188 years.  

About Vaccinium Piliferum

• It is a rare and endangered wild relative of blueberry species.
• It belongs to the Ericaceae family, which includes blueberries and cranberries.
• It was rediscovered in the Eastern Himalayan region.
• The plant was originally recorded in 1836 during the colonial period.
• The species was found near tributaries of the Noa-Dihing River in the dense forests 
• Conservation Status: The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed ‘Vaccinium piliferum’ as an ‘endangered’ species.

Key Facts about Blueberry

• Blueberries are a member of the Ericaceae or heath family.
• Types of blueberries: Lowbush (Vaccinium angustifolium), Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and bilberry or forest blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) etc. 
• Climate and soil: Blueberry requires a relatively cold climate with 150 to 1200 hours of chill units to break dormancy.
• Soil: It prefers well-drained, acidic, sandy loam soils with organic matter content greater than 3%. 
• Too cold temperature is detrimental and kills blueberry shoots and flower buds.
• Nutritional Value: They are packed with essential nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber. They also contain powerful antioxidants that help combat free radicals in the body

Source: TH

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