ABSTRACT
Currently the characters that define Vaccinium L. are rather vague and indistinct, viz., small 4-or 5-merous flowers and a 4-or 5-loculed inferior ovary (Stevens, 1972). Such a definition fits taxa not now included in Vaccinium such as Diogenesia Sleumer, Disterigma (Klotzsch) Niedenzu, and Sphyrospemium Poepp and Endlich. and should exclude others such as V. barandanum Vidal, V. chapaense Merrill, and V. cylindraceum Smith.
