Prospects for Domesticating Western Huckleberries

Western huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) are native to the western United States and western Canada. The fruits were important for food and trade among some Native American nations and were popular with European settlers. Commercial sales of huckleberry food and health products have increased dramatically, with demand often exceeding supplies. All fruits are presently harvested from naturally-occurring stands, predominantly from 1,200 to 1,800 m (4,000 to 6,000 ft) elevation mountain sites. Harvest labor costs and weather-related fluctuations in yields have limited commercial expansion. Forest and fire management practices on public lands have adversely impacted the size and productivity of huckleberry colonies, further limiting commercialization and increasing the potential for overharvest. This paper describes western huckleberries, summarizes pertinent research, and outlines prospects for domestication.