Blueberries flourish in acidic, sandy soils and provide an important food source for numerous species of wildlife, and for humans as well. The two common species are Vaccinium angustifolium and V. myrtilloides, which are considered lowbush blueberries. These plants occur in many kinds of habitats, including wetland habitats such as bogs and meadows and drier habitats such as the jack pine ecosystem.

As many berry pickers and bears know, blueberries are especially abundant following wildfires.