Gen info
- Vaccinium is a common and widespread genus of shrubs or dwarf shrubs in the heath family, Ericaceae. The genus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. (7)
- Vaccinium barandanum is an endemic blueberry species of the Philippines. It was discovered and described by S. Vidal in 1886. Merrill states that during Vidal's absence in Europe in 1882-1883, the position of Director of Botanical Garden at Manila was temporarily filled by Don Jose de Baranda, an employee of the Forestry Bureau. Vaccinium barandanum Vidal was named after him. (5)
- Etymology: The genus name Vaccinium is probably from classical Latin bacca, meaning "berry". It is not the same as Vaccinum, which pertains to cows. (7)

Botany
• Vaccinium barandanum is an evergreen shrub or small woody tree that reaches up to 7 feet high, creeping or erect. Young leaves red to pink in color, becoming green, leathery, smooth, and shiny, 10 cm long × 3.5 cm wide, petiolate, and entire, turning red or maroon on aging. Flowers are small, bell-shaped, red, occurring in clusters. Fruit is a globose, bright colored berry, red, blue, or purple, containing several seeds.

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- In damp shaded ravines and in mossy forest; also in pine-oak association; reported tree-like on cliffs, 1300-2600 m. (2)
- Thrives on exposed areas, ravines, and mountain ridges, or interspersed within montane pine forest areas.

Constituents
- Phytochemical screening of fruits yielded steroids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, with absence of alkaloids and polyphenols.  (3)

Properties
- Studies have suggested antiglycation, antibiofilm properties.

Uses
Edibility
- Fruits are edible.
- Sour, young leaves reportedly edible.
- Used for making jams and jellies.
Folkloric
- In Benguet, Vaccinium spp. are used by locals for treatment of diabetes.
Others
- Crafts: Wood used for making vessels.
- Ornamental: Leaves used as hair ornament.

Studies
• Antiglycation Activity / Leaves: Vaccinium species have been used for the treatment of diabetes. Indigenous peoples have used them for treatment of symptoms of diabetes. Study evaluated the inhibitory activity of advancd glycation endproduct (AGEs) by leaf extracts from six, mainly tropical Vaccinium spp: Vaccinium barandanum, V. consanguineum, V. gaultheriifolium, V. poasanum, V. tonkinense, and Disterigma rimbachii. The ethanolic extracts of leaves of the Vaccinium species were potent inhibitors of AGEs. On AGE inhibition assay, Vaccinum species demonstrated concentration dependent inhibition, with IC50s ranging from 4e.2 to 16.2 µg/mL. Phenolic content ranged from 258 to 626 µg quercetin equivalents/mg extract. (4)
• Inhibition of Biofilm Formation: Study of Vaccinium barandanum and Allium tuberosum extracts showed significant inhibition of biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, although not suggestive of anti-quorum sensing activity. There was also significant inhibition of extracts to growth of MRSA when combined with oxacillin, but none when combined with cefoxitin. (6)

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Vaccinium barandanum S.Vidal / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(2)
Vaccinum barandanum / Last Edited by P.B.Pelser, Nov 2023 / Co's Digital Flora of the Philippines
(3)
Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Edible Wild Fruits in Benguet, Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines / Raquel Barcelo / Electronic Journal of Biology, 2015; 11(3): pp 80-89
(4)
Antiglycation activity of Vaccinium spp. (Ericaceae) from the Sam Vander Kloet collection for the treatment of type II diabetes / Jonathan Ferrier, Sabrina Djeffal, Holly Porter Morgan et al / Botany, 2012; 90(5) /
DOI: 10.1139/b2012-026
(5)
Baranda, Dr Jose Sainz de / Flora Malesiana
(6)
Vaccinium barandanum / Ed by Abdalbasit Adam Mariod / Wild Fruits: Composition, Nutritional Value and Products
(7)
Vaccinium / Wikipedia

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)