PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Dwarf Bilberry (Vaccinium cespitosum)

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Photo by Emmet Judziewicz

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Dwarf Bilberry (Vaccinium cespitosum), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found in pine barren openings and can often be located by searching for the northern blue butterfly whose larvae feed exclusively on this shrub. Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting throughout July. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through August.

Vaccinium arbuscula, Vaccinium caespitosum var. caespitosum

 
 
 

Dwarf bilberry is a small, (1-2dm tall) prostrate shrub that forms low, dense mats up to several meters in diameter. It has with bell-shaped flowers that are solitary in the axils of the lower leaves of the season. Sepals are very short and broad, corolla 5mm, usually pink with spurred anthers. Fruits are blue and 6-8mm. Its leaves are deciduous, firm, 1-3cm, obtuse or rounded above, tapering to the base, and have finely bristled teeth at least in the upper half.

Vaccinium cespitosum plants are mostly 1-2dm, making them smaller than V angustifolium. Its toothed leaves can be used to distinguish it from V uliginosum, a species with similarly small, but, un-toothed, leaves.

Superficial rhizomes. Blooming occurs late-May through late-June, fruiting throughout July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-May through August.

Associated species include Pinus banksiana, P resinosa, Comptonia peregrina, Pteridium aquilinium, Poa compressa, Hieracium aurantiacum, Carex pensylvanica, Vaccinium angustifolium, and V myrtilloides. It is the host plant for the northern blue butterfly.

Dwarf bilberry is found in pine barrens openings with sandy or loamy soils.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid site preparation that heavily disturbs herbaceous ground layer and soil, including bulldozing and furrowing, as well as grubbing and stump removal.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes in open sandy areas dominated by native grasses.

This species overwinters above ground, meaning that seasonal restrictions like conducting the a project on frozen ground will not result in avoidance. Therefore, known individual plant locations should be avoided year-round. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light. See forestry BMPs for invasive species.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.