Thicket/ Sweet Pepperbush

COMMON NAME: Sweet Pepperbush

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): White-Alder, Coast White-Alder, Soapbush

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Clethra alnifolia

FAMILY: Clethraceae

COMMUNITY: Thicket

STATUS: Native   

LIFESPAN: Woody Shrub

HEIGHT: 10 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late July to September

FRUITING TIME: September to October

DISTRIBUTION: Maine to Florida ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Shrub ~ Leaves alternate, simple, oval or oblong, 1 ˝ to 4 inches long, toothed ~ Stems slender, reddish, becoming gray and rough with age ~ Flowers perfect, white, 5-petaled, borne upright 2 to 6 inches long clusters, blooming from the base upward, sweet fragrance ~ Fruit dry capsule, hairy, contain numerous small winged seeds, persist through winter

GENERAL INFORMATION: The family name (Clethraceae) and genus name (Clethra) is from the Greek Clethra meaning “alder”.  The species name alnifolia means “leaves like alder”.  The Common Name is derived from the spicy-sweet fragrant white flowers and the gray fruit that resembles peppercorns. Sweet Pepperbush inhabits low, moist to wet, often sandy, ground of woods, swamps, shaded edges.  It is an indicator of wetlands.  Trees that associate with Sweet Pepperbush include red maple, sweet gum, black gum, Atlantic white-cedar and pitch pine. The blooms are frequently visited by honeybees and other nectar-feeding insects. Winter identification is aided by the persistent clusters of capsules, each with the flower’s former style still protruding from the center.

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.