Huckleberry is the common name for several species in the genus Gaylussacia. The perennial shrub forms extensive colonies. In mid to late spring, the plant develops bell-shaped flowers in clusters of 3-7 that are typically orange, red, or white. Its berries are a dark blue, typically fruiting in mid-late summer. The leaf undersides have tiny gold, resinous dots. The plant spreads through underground stems (rhizomes), forming small patches with stems 2-6 feet apart. These underground rhizomes can survive low- to moderate-intensity fires and enable the plant to resprout after aboveground stems are damaged or destroyed, providing an important adaptation to fire-prone environments.
