Vaccinium cespitosum is a small and inconspicuous shrub, easily overlooked. Plants spread vegetatively and each more or less vertical aerial stem is usually less than 30 cm tall--many plants in my experience being less than 20 cm tall in Wisconsin. Leaves are alternate and simple, finely toothed and usually less than 1 cm (rarely to 2) wide and about 2 to 2.5 times as long. The blades are obovate and often long-tapered to the base. Buds have only 2 visible outer scales. Flowers are attached singly in the leaf axils and develop a blue berry. The small size, finely toothed leaves and 2 bud scales will distinguish this species from our other Vaccinium shrubs.

This species is endangered in Wisconsin and in addition to being rare it is easy to overlook. The plants often grow with our common blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), but they are even smaller. It is the only host species for the Wisconsin endangered Northern Blue butterfly.