Vaccinium caesariense

Vaccinium caesariense New Jersey blueberry
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Vaccinium
Species:	V. caesariense
Binomial name
Vaccinium caesariense Mack.

Vaccinium caesariense (New Jersey blueberry) is native to the Eastern United States.^[1][2] It is a species in the genus Vaccinium, which includes blueberries, cranberries, huckleberries, and bilberries.

Vaccinium caesariense is a native perennial plant in the Eastern United States, and is especially prominent in the New Jersey area, hence its common name New Jersey blueberry.^[2] It is found in the coastal states from Florida to New Hampshire, almost always in wetlands.^[2][3] Some of its native habitats include pine barrens, upland meadows and woods, ravines, and mountain summits.^[4]

Vaccinium caesariense has simple, small, oval green leaves during the summer and loses its leaves in the winter. This dicot exhibits a shrub growth habit, meaning this perennial, multi-stemmed woody plant is not likely to grow larger than 5 m (16 ft) in height, particularly due to its numerous stems.^{[citation needed]}

In commercial cultivation of Vaccinium caesariense, they are usually planted at the beginning of fall or the end of winter, with organic fertilizers such as manure compost and vermicompost. As the plants develop woody stems irrigation is only needed during very dry periods. The cultivated plants are grown in soil that is accommodating to acidophilic plants.^{[citation needed]}

New Jersey has developed environmental and agricultural programs to protect and develop the New Jersey blueberry, such as the Blueberry Plant Certification Program and the Phillip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research & Extension.^{[citation needed]}

Although the species is still found growing in natural habitats, most of New Jersey's cultivated blueberries are a hybrid Highbush type. It was first developed by Elizabeth Coleman White, the daughter of a cranberry farmer, and introduced in Whitesbog, Burlington County, New Jersey. During harvest season, New Jersey farmers set up road-side farm stands and sell the fresh blueberries. The hybrid fruit, when frozen, maintains quality and taste upon thawing.^[1]

• Media related to Vaccinium caesariense at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Vaccinium caesariense at Wikispecies