There are numerous wild blueberries growing statewide. I would suggest you
get a copy of the late Carl Hunters book: Trees, Shrubs and Vines of
Arkansas and look at some of the pictures and descriptions to see if they
match what you have. They are commonly called huckleberries, mayberry, farkleberry and more. There are bushes and small trees.
I hesitate to simply say taste one without seeing one, but many libraries and book stores
carry his book, or take a sample to your local extension office or state park for
identification. Be sure to take fruit and leaves.
(July) Do some variety of wild blueberries grow in the Hot Springs Village area?
The reason I'm asking is there is a patch of 12 to 18 inch tall, green leaf
bushes in the tree line behind my house with small blueberry or huckleberry
looking fruit. The fruit is already getting ripe and that along with the small
bush size would seem to rule out huckleberries though the fruit is of that size
and appearance. Also the leaves are larger than any huckleberry I'm familiar
with. I've not tasted the berries but when mashed the number of seeds in the
pulp seems to be much less than is found in huckleberries. I'm tempted to sample
them but... any info you can provide on this will be appreciated.