Freshwater Wetlands/ Large Cranberry

COMMON NAME: Large Cranberry

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): American Cranberry, Bearberry, Bankberry,

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Vaccinium macrocarpon

FAMILY: Ericaceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetland

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: Low creeping shrub

FLOWERING TIME: Late June to mid-July

FRUITING TIME: Late August to October

DISTRIBUTION: Newfoundland to North Carolina ~ Statewide in NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Low creeping shrub ~ Slender stem ~ Recurved pedals ~ Small, alternate, oval leaves ~ Fruit red and juicy

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family of plants (Ericaceae), commonly known as the Heath Family includes 103 genera and 3,350 species of shrubs and small tress.  Many members of this family are of horticultural and gastronomic interest, including Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Heathers and Cranberries, Blueberries and Billberries. The Large Cranberry can be substituted for commercially available cranberries in any recipe.  They can be used as cooked fruit, jelly, for a cold drink or fermented for wine.  The berries are usually picked while still firm, just before, or just after the first frost. Native Americans dried Large Cranberry and sold them to the English, using them as currency.  The Colonists used them in baking. Native Americans also used a whole-plant infusion (medicine prepared by steeping in a liquid without boiling) to relieve mild nausea. 

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.