Thicket/ Low Bush Blueberry

COMMON NAME: Low Bush Blueberry

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Upland Low Blueberry

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Vaccium pallidum

FAMILY: Ericaceae

COMMUNITY: Thicket

STATUS: Native   

LIFESPAN: Woody Shrub

HEIGHT: 1 to 4 feet

FLOWERTING TIME: April

FRUITING TIME: June and July

DISTRIBUTION: Maine to Georgia ~ Mostly in Morris and Somerset counties in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves sharply serrate, firm texture, conspicuous veins, green, hairless, dark red in the fall ~ Berry blue or black, dull to shinny ~ Flower bell shaped, pink to white, borne in clusters ~ Twigs green in summer, red on upper surface in winter and green underside.

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Ericaceae) commonly called the Heath family consists of 103 genera and 3,350 species of shrubs, lianas, and small trees; found in temperate, cool and subtropical regions and in tropical mountains.  Twenty-five to 35 species are native to the United States.  Members of this family are of great horticultural and gastronomic interest, including Rhododendron, Azaleas, Heathers and Cranberries, Blueberries and Bilberries.  The family name “Heath” is from the Greek eike, and the Latin Erica. The Low Bush Blueberry, like other Blueberries, is edible as a fresh fruit or dried fruit or made into jelly or jam.  It can also be used to add flavor to pastry. Like many other members of the Heath Family, Blueberries prefer acid soil.  They are found most commonly in open woods or in clearings. Blueberries are important to American wildlife. The fruit is eaten by several species of birds, small mammals, and hooved browsers. For severas species of grouse, blueberries are among the most important summer and early fall foods. they are also important to the scarlet tanager, bluebirds, and other songbirds. Deer and rabbits browse freely on the plants.

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.