Books on edible berries.

[Bazoo]

I have what I believe is elderberry bushes on the farm. There are several bushes that I think are different varieties of elderberry, but I aint sure. Does anyone know of a good book, or website, they would recommend that has details and close up pictures of leaves, bark and berries? I googled pictures, but from the 20 feet the picture was taken at, I cant see it well enough for a positive ID.

If im right, I have enough I could make something out of them. I dont know any old timers that know these things. Everyone I ask says they dont know.

Thanks

Bazoo.

[Tatume]

https://www.gardenguides.com/93690-identify-elderberry.html

https://www.ediblewildfood.com/elderberry.aspx

https://www.outdoorlife.com/how-to-identify-elderberry-bush/

[Bazoo]

Thanks Tatume, thats better than i've found previously. Most likely the ones im thinking of are elderberrys.

However, we have another variety, that the wife thinks is a variety of elderberry, and looks completely different.

Id like a book with detailed pictures and description. I prefer books over internet. One because I dont have internet at the house other than the wifes phone, and it dont work so swift.

[Tatume]

In front of me right now are:
Peterson Field Guide to Wildflowers of Northeastern/North-central North America
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers
Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas (which covers VA, NC, SC, TN & KY).

The Peterson's Guide does not include elderberry.
The Audubon Guide does include elderberry and redberry elder, with a description and photos.
The Flora includes both species as well.

The Audubon Guide is a lay-accessible book that is useful to most interested amateurs.

The Flora is a highly technical guide intended for professional plant taxonomists (I am one). It is difficult to use without a background in botany and extensive practice.

The key differences between the two species, Sambucus canadensis and S. pubens are these:

S. canadensis (elderberry) has black or purple fruit and the pith of the second-year wood is white or cream colored.

S. pubens (redberry elder) has red fruit and the pith of second-year wood is brown.

Both species are found in Kentucky. Elderberry is found in swamp forests, alluvial woods and pastures, usually in open habitats. Redberry elder is found in deciduous woods and openings at high elevations. It is unlikely that they would be found together.

Take care, Tom

[1911sw45]

Bazoo care to post the pics of the ones u are wondering about.

[Thundarstick]

There's gobs of elderberries(the black variety) ripe for the taking around here!

[Winger Ed.]

There's gobs of elderberries(the black variety) ripe for the taking around here!

Just a vicious rumor- but they're supposed to make really good wine.

[Pipefitter]

Just a vicious rumor- but they're supposed to make really good wine.

And once you run the wine through the "water purification unit" it can make a decent brandy also.....

[Alstep]

We used to have a lot of elderberry bushes around here, but they sort of died off. Hardly any left any more. My mother used to make delicious elderberry preserves every year. The neighbor made wine, really good stuff with a kick that sneaked up on you. Kinda like hard cider. As kids, we used to have elderberry fights, hit each other with the berry blossom heads that looked like we were all bloodied up. Mom got mad because it stained our clothes. All a long time ago, like 60+ years.

[Wayne Smith]

In front of me right now are:
Peterson Field Guide to Wildflowers of Northeastern/North-central North America
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers
Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas (which covers VA, NC, SC, TN & KY).

The Peterson's Guide does not include elderberry.
The Audubon Guide does include elderberry and redberry elder, with a description and photos.
The Flora includes both species as well.

The Audubon Guide is a lay-accessible book that is useful to most interested amateurs.

The Flora is a highly technical guide intended for professional plant taxonomists (I am one). It is difficult to use without a background in botany and extensive practice.

The key differences between the two species, Sambucus canadensis and S. pubens are these:

S. canadensis (elderberry) has black or purple fruit and the pith of the second-year wood is white or cream colored.

S. pubens (redberry elder) has red fruit and the pith of second-year wood is brown.

Both species are found in Kentucky. Elderberry is found in swamp forests, alluvial woods and pastures, usually in open habitats. Redberry elder is found in deciduous woods and openings at high elevations. It is unlikely that they would be found together.

Take care, Tom

Tom, one assumes that they are equally edible? That's really what he's asking.

[Tatume]

Wayne,

Since one species lives in lowlands and the other lives high in the mountains, it is unlikely that he has both species. At least one of them is not related to elderberry, possibly neither. Therefore, we really don't know what either plant is, and cannot predict the properties.

Also, even if one of the plants is elderberry (something in which I have little confidence), according to the USDA, elderberry is toxic without proper preparation.

My recommendation is to consult a local expert who can examine the plants first hand, and then proceed with caution. Someone at a local university might be able to help.

As an aside, I once received a letter from an old acquaintance. Inside was a leaf and a brief request for identification. A few days later I received another letter, also containing a leaf. The second letter read, "I realized one leaf isn't much to go on, so I've sent you another." :-)

Take care, Tom

[gwpercle]

For me the giveaway for elderberries in my yard are the large white clusters of elder flowers that appear before the berries appear . Once you have seen the flowers and then see the berries you can be sure of what you have .
Be careful when using...the juice stains anything and everything purple .
When a child my Mom told me and my brother they were poisonous , that was a lie ...she didn't want us eating them and getting our clothes , hands and faces all stained with dark purple juice... she later admitted to it .
They don't taste very good unless cooked so don't consume raw in any quantity. Cooking renders them safe and much better tasting Have made a lot elderberry jelly and one gallon jug of elderberry wine .... it turned out very sweet and very alcoholic ! Elderberry jelly is very good , just follow the directions in the box of Sure Jell

There is another plant that makes similar looking berries but not the large cluster of white flowers...
Leave that one alone , not sure what the plant is but the berries are not edible .
If you haven't seen the large white cluster of elder flowers before the berrys's appear , don't eat them !

[yeahbub]

Books by Samuel Thayer, like Forager's Harvest and others are well illustrated with photos and detailed descriptions. If it's in his books, he's personally done it. He comments on the need for great care in choosing books on the subject of wild edibles and laments the old wive's tales and flat-out wrong things which he's seen in books which purport to be authoritative. You'll find good information on elderberries as well as a bunch of others I was never aware of.

[Alstep]

You might want to contact your local agricultural extension service. Someone there should be knowledgeable about this.

[Smoke4320]

You might want to contact your local agricultural extension service. Someone there should be knowledgeable about this.

this would be my first step and they will do it for free

[Smoke4320]

Yes i was agreeing

[abunaitoo]

Beware of the round brown berries on the ground.
They could be deer droppings.:bigsmyl2:

[Messy bear]

Beware of the round brown berries on the ground.
They could be deer droppings.:bigsmyl2:

high energy range raisins

[gwpercle]

Beware of the round brown berries on the ground.
They could be deer droppings.:bigsmyl2:

Or rabbit pellets or sheep droppings ... all depending on size of course !

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the replies.

The bush I believe to be elderberries did have large fluffy white flower heads in spring. I asked a friend about where the extension office is and will probably take a sample of each down there for identification. I'll also look into the Samuel Taylor books, thanks.

[Minerat]

Take a small piece of branch from each bush with leaves, berries and bark and the NRCS can help.

[MT Gianni]

Google Bradford Angier.

[Beerd]

Google Bradford Angier.
or Euell Gibbons
..