Allthough segregates have been recognized in the past (especially V. vacillans Torr.), this widespread species of east-central states has not been subdivided in recent treatments (FNA 8, W). Distinct but closely related species in this rhizomatous "lowbush" group of blueberries are known to the north, east and south of Ky. Some have occasionally been misidentified in the state, but none are verified (M): V. altomontanum Ashe, V. angustifolium Ait. and V. myrtilloides Michx. The more distantly related, creeping subshrub, V. crassifolium Andr. also appears to have been reported in error (BA). With only twigs and leaves, the "lowbush" group (as well as others in section Cyanococcus) can be distinguished from stamineum and arboreum as follows (FNA 8, W): twigs verrucose (versus not so); berries usually sweet, usually turning bluish (versus sour or bitter, turning purplish/blackish). V. pallidum in particular may also be distinguished from stamineum as follows: twigs hairy in lines or often glabrous (versus glabrous to densely hairy); leaf blades with average L/W = 1.7-2 (versus 2.2- 2.5), usually glabrous below, rarely hairy (versus glabrous or densely hairy), often without inrolled margin (versus often so); berries 4-8 mm in diameter (versus 7-18 mm), usually blue, and glaucous-bloomed, sweet (versus green/yellowiash to purplish/blackish, sour).