Vaccinium reticulatum

Vaccinium reticulatum
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Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Vaccinium
Species:	V. reticulatum
Binomial name
Vaccinium reticulatum Sm.
Synonyms
Vaccinium pahalae Skottsb. Vaccinium peleanum Vaccinium berberidifolium

Oheloberries, raw

File:Starr 011107-0043 Vaccinium reticulatum.jpg Vaccinium reticulatum fruits, Maui
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	117 kJ (28 kcal)
Carbohydrates	6.84 g
Fat	0.22 g
Protein	0.38 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.	(5%) 42 μg
Thiamine (B1)	(1%) 0.017 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	(3%) 0.036 mg
Niacin (B3)	(2%) 0.27 mg
Vitamin C	(7%) 6 mg
Minerals
Calcium	(1%) 7 mg
Iron	(1%) 0.09 mg
Magnesium	(2%) 6 mg
Phosphorus	(1%) 10 mg
Potassium	(1%) 38 mg
Link to USDA Database entry
Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Vaccinium reticulatum, known as ʻŌhelo ʻai in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering plant in the heather family, Ericaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. It grows at altitudes of 640–3,700 m (2,100–12,140 ft) on lava flows and freshly disturbed volcanic ash on Maui and Hawaiʻi, and less commonly on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Molokaʻi. Adaptations to volcanic activity include the ability to survive ash falls of over 25 cm (9.8 in) depth.

Description

ʻŌhelo ʻai is a shrub usually 0.1–1.3 m (0.33–4.27 ft) tall, rarely up to 2 m (6.6 ft). The leaves are evergreen, spirally arranged, leathery, oval, 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long, red when freshly emerging, then green or green with reddish patches. The flowers are bell-shaped, 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) long, variable in color, red to yellow or pink.

Fruit

The fruit is an edible berry 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) diameter, ranging in color from blue to purple to red to orange to yellow. The color does not necessarily indicate the ripeness of the berries. The berries taste similar to the related cranberries, less ripe ones being tart, while ripe berries are quite sweet. They are an important food source for the nēnē (Branta sandvicensis); the seeds are dispersed in the birds' droppings.

Uses

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) can be obtained by the mean of V. pahalae in vitro cell culture.

References

• Plants of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Vaccinium reticulatum
• Invasion and Recovery of Vegetation after a Volcanic Eruption in Hawaii
• More pictures from www.HEAR.org.
• ITIS Report from USDA