So What’s A Sparkleberry, Besides FPL’s New Molino Solar Farm?

August 7, 2022

So what’s a sparkleberry?

Escambia County recently approved a 75 megawatt Florida Power & Light solar farm named the Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center at the end of Pilgrim Trail in Molino.

But many NorthEscambia.com readers asked us what exactly is a sparkleberry. So we took our question to Lydia Purvis, horticulture specialist for Escambia County Extension.

Here’s what she had to say:

Sparkleberry is a Florida native tree. It is known for being a relative of the blueberry, huckleberry and cranberry. It has delicate flowers with a glossy foliage and shiny berries. Sparkleberry is considered to be wildlife friendly and drought tolerant. Growing from hardiness zones 6-9b, Sparkleberry trees can be seen all over the state of Florida.

Sparkleberry is a perennial shrub or small tree. It has fragrant white flowers that hang down like bells in the spring, then as the summer months approach you see green foliage and bluish black berries in the fall. Spring flowers are a good source of food for pollinators. The berries feed birds and other small wildlife.

Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboretum) berries are also edible to humans. They are not considered as flavorful as their relatives mentioned above. Larger sparkleberries have been incorporated into jams, jellies, and pies historically. Most homeowners leave the berries for the wildlife presently.

Since this shrub is a native to Florida, it has adapted to our hot and humid climate. It can grow in full sun or partial shade. Sparkleberry trees prefer the soil to be sand and dry. Once established, it requires little irrigation.

Sparkleberry is considered a low maintenance tree. The species causes few to no allergens and only requires occasional light pruning.

Comments

6 Responses to “So What’s A Sparkleberry, Besides FPL’s New Molino Solar Farm?”

  1. mike on August 8th, 2022 8:22 pm

    It’s also known as a rise in your electric bill! Lol. :D

  2. Hypocrisy on August 7th, 2022 11:01 pm

    I live on Bogia road near the OTHER solar farm. Acres of forest lost, the watershed has been completly diverted heavily damaging Bogia road. It has caved in the hillside and all the soil has washed down the road towards the church. To me the cost has been more than the savings.

  3. Someone who likes nature on August 7th, 2022 9:29 pm

    The sad thing is that once FPL clears that land, there will not be a sparkleberry anywhere in sight. Nor any other flora or fauna.

  4. MQ on August 7th, 2022 2:42 pm

    Quick glance the top photo looks like lily of the valley. Interesting read.

  5. Chris on August 7th, 2022 11:13 am

    They actually look like miniature blueberries and taste similar. If you’ve ever been to the upper part of Perdido River, you’ve seen plenty of them.

  6. the Sanded pIne on August 7th, 2022 9:21 am

    You go, Lyddie!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News