Cascade Blueberry (Vaccinium deliciosum)
Rarity: Hidden atop the clouds — Beloved by forest sprites and alpine wanderers, these berries ripen beneath the sun’s summer kiss, far from mortal roads.
The Cascade Blueberry is a small, low-growing shrub native to the subalpine meadows and mountain slopes of the Pacific Northwest. Its vibrant blue berries are as delicious as its name implies — tart, sweet, and bursting with flavor. Often found carpeting ridgelines and alpine clearings, this native species is a seasonal treat for bears, birds, and hikers alike. With delicate bell-shaped flowers in spring and fiery red foliage in fall, Vaccinium deliciosum is a year-round beauty in high places.
Ecological Role
Cascade Blueberry is a foundational species in alpine meadow ecosystems. Its mat-forming growth helps stabilize soils in harsh mountain environments, and its berries provide crucial late-summer nutrition for black bears, grouse, and small mammals preparing for winter. Pollinators, especially bumblebees, rely on its early flowers at high elevation where few others bloom.
It also plays a role in post-disturbance recovery, especially after snowpack shifts, windfall, or fire. Its leaves and roots are adapted to thin, rocky soils, and help anchor alpine plant communities in place — acting as a natural buffer against erosion.