Authority:

Maguire, Bassett. 1978. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part X. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 1-288.

Family:

Ericaceae

Description:

Distribution and Ecology - The very large genus Vaccinium has a nearly world wide distribution. Sleumer (1967) reported a total of about 450 species in the genus, of which there are 6 in Europe, ca 65 in North America, ca 30 in tropical America, 5 in SE Africa and Madagascar, ca 76 in tropical Asia, ca 22 in Japan, 11 in Pacifica, and ca 240 in Malesia.

Discussion:

18. Vaccinium Linnaeus, Sp. PI. 349. 1753. In the Neotropics the genus is poorly understood and many species-groups are recognized. Camp (1942) suggested that polyploidy and hybridization were probable causes for the difficulties encountered by the taxonomist within this genus. The genus is closely related to Thibaudia, and also shows affinities with some species of Orthaea. Prior to this study, eight species of Vaccinium were recognized in the Guayana Highland. That number has been reduced to four species (one of which is here described as new).

Distribution:

North America| Europe| Madagascar Africa| Malaysia Asia| United States of America North America|