Edible Berries Archives - Eat The Planet

Bunchberry, a Beautiful and Valuable Wild Edible

September 23, 2019September 23, 2019 Cornelia 0 Comments Edible Berries, edible berry, Edible Leaves, Edible Plant, Medicinal, Native Plant, wild edible, Wild Fruit

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Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), or also known as creeping dogwood, is a perennial flowering subshrub species. This plant is native to

Saskatoon Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)

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Juneberry, Tasty and Nutritious Native Fruits

September 23, 2019September 23, 2019 Cornelia 0 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Plant, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant, Wild Fruit

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Juneberry (Amelanchier), also known as saskatoon, serviceberry, or wild-plum, is a genus comprised of more than 20 species of deciduous

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Wild Blackberries and Raspberries, a Diverse Group of Delicious Edibles

June 24, 2019June 26, 2019 Cornelia 4 Comments Edible Berries, edible berry, Medicinal, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant, wild edible, Wild Fruit

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Do you know what Rubus is? It is a diverse genus of flowering plants in the Rosaceae family. Most Rubus

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Fruits

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Black Chokeberry, a Native Super Food

June 14, 2019June 24, 2019 Cornelia 0 Comments Edible Berries, edible berry, Medicinal, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant, wild edible

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Despite its funny name, black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a super healthy food that has been cultivated and consumed for

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Wild Sarsaparilla, a Native Source of Energy and Health

May 20, 2019May 22, 2019 Cornelia 2 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Leaves, Edible Root, Medicinal, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant, wild edible, Wild Fruit

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Despite their similar name, wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) is not related to the true sarsaparilla at all. Unlike true sarsaparilla

Indian Cucumber (Medeola virginiana) Plant with Berries

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Indian Cucumber, Tasty Edible Roots with Many Virtues

May 19, 2019May 21, 2019 Cornelia 0 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Leaves, Edible Root, Medicinal, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant, wild edible

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Much like may other plants in the Lily (Liliaceae), Indian cucumber (Medeola virginiana) is a good wild edible. Indian cucumber

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Bearberry, Loved by Bears and Humans Alike

May 19, 2019May 20, 2019 Cornelia 0 Comments Edible Berries, edible berry, Edible Leaves, Medicinal, Native American Indian Food, Wild Fruit

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Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a dwarf, evergreen shrub that can be found growing in North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), also known as American black elderberry or common elderberry, is a shrub that can easily be found throughout North America. It’s known for its delicious, dark purple berries and lacy white flowers. Elderberries and elderflowers are famous for their culinary and medicinal uses. Edibility and culinary use Almost all parts of this plant are poisonous, except for its flowers and ripe berries. Elderflowers are delicate and fragrant with a slightly tart flavor. These cream-colored flowers are typically used as an edible garnish or to flavor desserts and beverages. Elderflowers can also be made into jelly or deep-fried to make fritters. Dried elderflowers can also be brewed to make medicinal herbal tea. Much like elderflowers, elderberries taste tangy and tart, although stronger. These dark purple berries should never be eaten raw as it might cause stomach aches. Elderberries are usually made into jam, marmalade, pastry filling, juice, wine, tincture, and syrup. Elderberry tincture and syrup are often used for medicinal remedy. Health benefits Elderberry is packed with important nutrients. Both the berries and flowers are rich in vitamin A, B, and C. The tiny berries even contain more vitamin C than oranges. They’re high in dietary fiber which can promote a healthy digestive system. Elderberries and elderflowers also contain a lot of antioxidants like anthocyanins, flavonols, and phenolic acids. This means they’re great for reducing oxidative stress in the body, preventing cancer, and reducing inflammations. Elderflowers and elderberries are often used to treat and prevent cold. They’re also great for alleviating cold symptoms, such as cough, nasal congestion, and fever. Elderberry is also said to be good for treating allergy and asthma symptoms. Its anti-inflammatory property also makes it great for alleviating pain, treating mouth and gum inflammation, reducing toothache, and treating digestive problems. Lastly, consuming elderberry can improve cardiovascular health as it helps lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. Cultivation Elderberry is not very hard to cultivate. With some work and patience, you’ll be able to grow some elderberry shrubs in your own garden. While it loves moist, fertile, and well-drained soil, this plant can tolerate almost every type of soil. But, it can’t tolerate drought at all. So, be sure to water the plant regularly. Plant elderberry in a location with full sun for a better harvest. Before planting, prepare the soil by incorporating manure or compost. Plant elderberry bushes in the spring, after the last frost date has passed. Plant each plant 6” to 10” apart, make sure the roots are well-covered. Water them once or twice a week to ensure they don’t dry out. Get rid of surrounding weed regularly, especially when the shrubs are young. Let the shrubs grow wild for the first two years. Don’t prune them or harvest the flowers and berries. This way, they’ll grow nicely and produce a lot of berries. Then, starting from the third year, prune the shrubs each spring and remove all the dead areas. The berries will start to appear at the end of summer and they will ripen around mid-August to mid-September. Make sure to pick them before the birds finish them off. Cautions Common elderberry leaves, stems, and roots are poisonous. Ripe elderberries are generally safe, but unripe elderberries contain toxins that can only be destroyed through cooking. Eating unripe or uncooked elderberries may result in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Elderberry may cause the immune system to be more active, so people with autoimmune disorders should avoid consuming elderberry. Also, be careful not to confuse elderberry shrubs with the toxic water hemlock. These plants look somewhat similar, moreover, they typically grow in the same area. Elderberry has opposing leaves while water hemlock has alternating leaves. Water hemlock doesn’t grow berries, but they do grow flowers. Water hemlock flowers look similar to elderflowers, but they have a firecracker-like formation. Do not touch or ingest water hemlock flowers at all. Conclusion Elderberry can be a valuable source of food and herbal remedy if you know how to prepare it. This plant’s tiny berries and dainty flowers definitely pack a punch when it comes to flavor. They’re versatile and can be used in a lot of delicious recipes. And their health benefits are undoubtedly amazing as well. It’s not a surprise to find that Native Americans have been using elderberries and elderflowers to make traditional herbal medicine.

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Elderberry, Tasty and Packed with Nutrients

May 15, 2019May 19, 2019 Cornelia 0 Comments Edible Berries, edible berry, Edible Flowers, wild edible

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Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), also known as American black elderberry or common elderberry, is a shrub that can easily be found

Recipes

Serviceberry Muffins

December 6, 2018January 17, 2019 Joe@EatThePlanet 0 Comments Edible Berries, Foraging, Wild Fruit

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Serviceberry is an interesting plant, it not only looks like blueberries but it also has a similar taste. These are

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Pawpaw Fruits, A Tropical Fruit in Temperate Climates

September 28, 2017 Joe@EatThePlanet 3 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Plant, Foraging, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant

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Pawpaw trees Pawpaw trees(Asimina triloba) are unique because most of their closest relatives are tropical species, but these trees are

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Hawthorn, an Ornamental Tree With Edible Fruit

February 19, 2015August 29, 2017 Joe@EatThePlanet 2 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Flowers, Edible Leaves, Edible Plant, Foraging, Medicinal, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant, Purchase, Wild Fruit

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Washington hawthorn tree (Crataegus phaenopyrum) is a common ornamental landscape tree in the Eastern and Central United States. The genus Crataegus is

Articles Easy Foraging

5 Easy to Forage Edible Spring Plants of the Northeast

March 13, 2014November 9, 2016 Joe@EatThePlanet 0 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Flowers, Edible Leaves, Edible Plant, Foraging, Wild Fruit

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At Eat The Planet we love to teach people how foraging for wild edibles can be easy, safe, and rewarding.

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Multiflora Rose, An Invasive But Nutritious Wild Edible

February 21, 2014December 5, 2017 Joe@EatThePlanet 2 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Flowers, Edible Leaves, Edible Plant, Edible Seeds, Foraging, Medicinal, Wild Fruit

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Roses are one of the most popular plants known to mankind. Their history as a cultivated plant goes back at

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10 Wild Edibles, You Should Know

January 29, 2014November 9, 2016 Joe@EatThePlanet 4 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Bug, Edible Insects, Edible Mushrooms, Edible Plant, Entomophagy, Foraging, Mushroom Hunting, Wild Fruit

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This is a list of wild edibles that are abundant, easy to identify, and significant in one way or another.

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Sassafras, An Illegal Substance That Grows Wild In Our Back Yards

December 18, 2013December 11, 2019 Joe@EatThePlanet 28 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Flowers, Edible Leaves, Edible Plant, Foraging, Medicinal, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant

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Sassafras Tree Sassafras is the primary ingredient in traditional root beer as well as being used in the production of MDMA(ecstasy) and

Articles

What is the story behind the banning of Safrole?

December 18, 2013December 11, 2019 Joe@EatThePlanet 7 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Leaves, Edible Plant, Foraging, Medicinal, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant

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Safrole which is a unique substance in Sassafras can not be found in significant quantity in any food products sold

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Eastern Red Cedar Berries, A Touch of Natural Flavor

December 9, 2013January 30, 2020 Joe@EatThePlanet 2 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Plant, Foraging, Medicinal, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant, Wild Fruit

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Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a very common native plant in Eastern North America. It is not a true

Nyssa sylvatica, Black Tupelo, notice brances growing out at 90 degrees then sloping down

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Black Tupelo, A Native American Fruit Tree

October 8, 2013November 9, 2016 Joe@EatThePlanet 1 Comment Edible Berries, Edible Plant, Foraging, Native American Indian Food, Native Plant, Wild Fruit

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Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) , also called black gum tree is a North Eastern American native tree producing edible fruit

Berberis thunbergii, Japanese Barberry fruits and leaves

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Japanese Barberry, Invasive Winter Fruit

October 6, 2013November 7, 2016 Joe@EatThePlanet 1 Comment Edible Berries, Edible Leaves, Edible Plant, Foraging, Wild Fruit

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Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is an invasive shrub in eastern United States. It can grow in dense forest shade and

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Autumn Olive, A Common Invasive Edible Fruit

October 5, 2013December 20, 2018 Joe@EatThePlanet 2 Comments Edible Berries, Edible Plant, Foraging, Wild Fruit

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Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is an invasive shrub in central and eastern United States. It was introduced in the 1930s

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