Taxon Report

Vaccinium shastense J.K. Nelson & L. Lindstrand III ssp. shastense

Shasta huckleberry

Print Report


© 2016 Steve Matson

Taxon Summary

Vaccinium shastense ssp. shastense, commonly known as Shasta huckleberry, is a perennial deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest, Riparian forest, and Subalpine coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 325 to 1220 meters. Vaccinium shastense ssp. shastense is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Vaccinium shastense J.K. Nelson & L. Lindstrand III ssp. shastense
Common Name:
Shasta huckleberry
Family: Ericaceae
Element Code: PDERI181Z1
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial deciduous shrub
Blooming Period: (Jun-Sep)Dec-May (Jun-Sep)Dec-May
Elevation: 325-1220 (1065-4005)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest, Riparian forest, Subalpine coniferous forest
Microhabitat: Acidic, Disturbed areas, Mesic, Roadsides, Rocky, Seeps (sometimes), Streambanks (often)
Microhabitat Details: rocky outcrops

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.3
Global Rank: G4T3
State Rank:
S3
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: BLM_S; SB_UCSC
CRPR Changes:
  • added to 1B.3 on 2015-12-15

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 21
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 16
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 1
   Unknown (U) 3
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Shasta (SHA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Bohemotash Mtn. (4012274), Minnesota Mtn. (4012272), Oak Run (4012261), Shasta Dam (4012264), Whiskeytown (4012265)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 4
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
5 24 %
Road/trail construction/maint. 2 9%
Dam/Inundation 1 4%
Mining 1 4%
Non-native plant impacts 1 4%

Notes

Similar to V. parvifolium. See MadroƱo 62(3):167-180 (2015) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2015-12-15
USFS Potential Species of Conservation Concern Profile
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].