Bayshore/ Dangleberry

COMMON NAME: Dangleberry

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Blue Huckleberry

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Gaylussicia frondosa

FAMILY: Ericaceae

COMMUNITY: Maritime Forest

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial (Shrub)

HEIGHT: to 6 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late May to late June

FRUITING TIME: Mid-July to September

DISTRIBUTION: New Hampshire to Florida and west to Alabama ~ Statewide in NJ, most abundant in Pine Barrens ~ Grows in moist woods and thickets

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Widely branched shrub ~ Leaves deciduous with minute sessile reninous lands beneath, elliptic or oblong covered with whitish covering, pale beneath ~ Berries blue, sweet ~ Flowers greenish white or purplish

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family, Ericaceae commonly called the Heath Family consists of 103 genera and 3,350 species of shrubs, lianas and small trees.  Many members of this family are of great horticultural and gastronomic interest, including Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Heathers and Cranberries, Blueberries and Bilberries.  “Heath” in Green is ereike, Latin erica. The fruit of Dangleberries is eaten by upland gamebirds, song birds and small mammals.  The black bear will also eat this fruit.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.