A subgeneric classification of the genus Vaccinium and the metamorphosis of V. section Bracteata Nakai: more terrestrial and less epiphytic in habit, more continental and less insular in distribution.

The taxonomic integrity of Vaccinium section Bracteata sensu Sleumer was assessed using a variety of numerical measures on a data matrix created from 46 OTUs scored for 65 descriptors. These analyses supported a much restricted ambit for section Bracteata and the concomitant resurrection of section Nesococcus and section Euepigynium, a more cosmopolitan interpretation for section Eococcus and section Pyxothamnus as well as a new taxon, Vaccinium section Baccula-nigra Kloet, sect. nov. to accommodate V. fragile Franch. and its conspecifics. A key to all the sections as well as a brief description for each section is also provided.