Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch ex Meissner, Martius Fl. Bras. 7: 128.  1863.  [Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch in R. Schomburgk, Vers. Fauna Fl. Brit. Guiana 1088.  1848, nom. illeg.]  Type.  Venezuela.  Bolívar:  Cerro Roraima, 488 m, Oct 1842 (fl), R. Schomburgk 868 (lectotype: B†;  isolectotype: NY frag;  syntypes: R. Schomburgk 559, BM, W n.v.).  Images:  Habit. Pollen.

          Terrestrial shrub to small tree, to 4 m tall, found in savannas, at 100-2600 m; widespread in Venezuela (Bolívar and Amazonas), Guyana, and Guayanan Brazil.

        Vaccinium puberulum was been divided into seven varieties by Maguire et al. (1978).  Over the years many new collections have been studied from throughout the extensive range of the species.  I am now of the opinion that most of the varieties are doubtfully distinct.  There are many examples of character overlap within the same collection.  A thorough revision of the species is badly needed.  In the meantime, I do herewith include a key to the varieties.  The fruits of some populations may be poisonous.
     

     Key to the Varieties of Vaccinium puberulum

    1.  Calyx, ovary, and corolla glabrous.
        2.  Rachis puberulous ...................................  var. hitchcockii
        2.  Rachis glabrous.
            3.  Principal leaf blades 3-11 cm long, obovate, oblong-elliptic,
                or narrowly to broadly oblong, the base usually acutely
                narrowed, the lateral nerves and tertiary venation elevated
                and prominent beneath .........................  var. subcrenulatum
            3.  Principal leaf blades 1.5-3.5 cm long, oval to elliptic-
                oblong, the base usually obtuse, the lateral nerves and
                tertiary venation not prominent beneath ............  var. jauaense
    1.  Calyx, ovary, or corolla pubescent.
        4.  Petioles, calyx, and corolla glabrous; leaves narrowly
            spathulate .........................................  var. spathulatum
        4.  Petioles, calyx, and corolla pubescent (or calyx glabrous);
            leaves variously shaped.
            5.  Leaves usually entire ............................  var. tepuiense
            5.  Leaves usually crenulate-serrulate.
                6.  Calyx lobes 0.5-0.8 mm long, from a broadly ovate-
                    triangular base; floral bracts oval to ovate-oblong,
                    1.5--5 mm long; leaves oblong, oval, or ovate, 1.5-3
                    times longer than broad; pilosity of stems and calyx short
                    and slightly developed ........................  var. puberulum
                6.  Calyx lobes narrowly elongated to 1 mm long from a
                    triangular-lanceolate base; floral bracts foliose,
                    linear-lanceolate, 5-10 mm long; leaves lanceolate-
                    elliptic, 3.3-4 times longer than broad; pilosity of stem
                    and calyx prominent ............................. var. cardonae

    Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch ex Meissner var. cardonae (A. C. Smith) Maguire, Steyerm. & Luteyn, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 193.  1978.  Vaccinium cardonae A. C. Smith, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 29: 358.  1950.  Type.  Venezuela.  Bolívar: Cerro Acopán, Río Caroni, 2100 m, Oct 1947, Cardona 2279 (holotpe: US;  isotypes: NY frag., VEN).

        Terrestrial shrub to small tree to 3 m tall.  Forest slope, 2100-2500 m.  Endemic to Venezuela (Bolívar and Amazonas).
     

    Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch ex Meissner var. hitchcockii (Camp) Maguire, Steyerm. & Luteyn, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 191.  1978.  Vaccinium hitchcockii Camp, Brittonia 7: 86.  1950.  Type.  Venezuela.  Amazonas: summit Cerro Yaví, 2200 m, Phelps & Hitchcock 57 (holotype: NY;  isotype: US).

        Terrestrial shrub, 1.5-4 m tall.  Dense scrub, 500-2300 m.  Endemic to Venezuela (Amazonas: Cerro de la Neblina, Cerro Yaví).  Fruits may be poisonous.
     

    Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch ex Meissner var. jauaense Maguire, Steyerm. & Luteyn, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 192.  1978.  Type.  Venezuela.  Bolívar:  Meseta de Jáua, Cerro Sarisariñama, 1922-2100 m,  22-27 Mar 1967 (fl), Steyermark 98054 (holotype: VEN;  isotypes, NY, US).

        Shrub.  Forest (?), 1900-2100 m.  Endemic to Venezuela (Bolívar: Cerro Sarisariñama).
     

    Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch ex Meissner var. puberulum

        Terrestrial shrub to small tree, 0.5-4 m tall.  Cloud forest, open forest, open shrubby savanna, scrub, savanna edge, 100-2600 m.  Widespread in Venezuela (Bolívar and Amazonas), Guyana, and N Guayanan Brazil.
     

    Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch ex Meissner var. spathulatum (Camp & A. C. Smith) Maguire, Steyerm. & Luteyn, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 192.  1978. Vaccinium spathulatum Camp & A. C. Smith, Brittonia 3: 187.  1939.  Type.  Venezuela.  Bolívar:  Auyan-tepuí, 1850 m,  Tate 1297 (holotype: NY).

        Terrestrial shrub, 1-2.5 m tall.  Summit, riverine forest, 1600-1850 m.  Endemic to Venezuela (Bolívar: Auyan-tepui).
     

    Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch ex Meissner var. subcrenulatum (Klotzsch ex Meissner) Maguire, Steyerm. & Luteyn, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 191.  1978. Vaccinium subcrenulatum Klotzsch ex Meissner, Martius Fl. Bras. 7: 128.  1863.  [Vaccinium subcrenulatum Klotzsch & Rob. Schomburgk in sched., nom. illeg.]  Type.  Guyana, Jul-Oct 1843 (fl), Rob. Schomburgk 1563 (holotype: B†;  isotype, NY).

        Terrestrial shrub, 0.5-3.5 m tall.  Forested slopes, thickets, shrub islands, savanna edges, 1000-2200 m.  Widespread in Venezuela (Bolívar and Amazonas) and Guyana.
     

    Vaccinium puberulum Klotzsch ex Meissner var. tepuiense (Camp & A. C. Smith Maguire, Steyerm. & Luteyn, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 192.  1978. Vaccinium tepuiense Camp & A. C. Smith, Brittonia 3: 186.  1939.  Type.  Venezuela: 1100 m, Tate 1295 (holotype: NY;  isotype, NY).

        Terrestrial shrub, 1-4 m tall.  Thickets, low scrub, savanna woodlands, rocky summits, 460-1900 m.  Widespread in Venezuela (Bolívar and Amazonas), and Guyana.