Rubus spp. – Dewberries
Dewberries (Rubus spp.) are a native relative of blackberries. They can be found along the side of trails in central and eastern North America. Dewberries stay low to the ground, whereas blackberries have upright canes. Leaves are alternate and compound, usually in groups of three or five. The fruits form a compact aggregate berry, unlike […]
Viburnum lantanoides – Hobblebush
Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides) is a native shrub with edible berries. It can be found in rich, moist woodlands. The plant is very shade tolerant. Hobblebush grows particularly well along the Adirondacks where it can form dense patches. The plant produces clusters of flat-topped white flowers in the spring. Flowers become red berries that eventually ripen […]
Rubus strigosus – Wild Red Raspberry
Wild red raspberry (Rubus strigosus) is a native plant that is closely related to cultivated raspberries (Rubus idaeus). Red raspberries can be found at the edges of woods, fields, and roadsides. The leaves are divided into 3-7 leaflets which have a green upper surface and silvery-white undersurface. Berries ripen mid-to-late summer. Red raspberries are delicious […]
Morus alba – White Mulberry
White mulberry (Morus alba) is a non-native tree that was brought to the U. S. in the 1900’s to feed silkworms for the silk industry. White mulberries can be found in sun or partial sun in woodland edges, fields, and fence rows. Leaves can be oval-shaped or lobed. They have a glossy top and […]
Rubus occidentalis – Black Raspberry
Black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) is one of the first native berries to ripen in the summer. Black raspberries are a native perennial that can be found in disturbed habitats, meadow edges, and stream banks. They can grow in full sun to partial shade. Black raspberry plants have thorny canes that are covered in a whitish […]
Rubus odoratus – Purple-flowering Raspberry
Purple-flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus) is a native perennial with edible berries. The purple-flowering raspberry is found at the edge of trails. It can grow in sun to part shade. The plant has maple-like leaves and purple rose-like flowers. Canes are thornless, unlike other raspberry species. Flowers appear June-August. Flowers become red raspberries in mid-late summer. […]
Fragaria virginiana – Wild Strawberry
The Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is a native berry that fruits late spring to early summer. Wild strawberries can be found in partial to full sun at the edge of fields, in woodland clearings, or along paths. The tiny berries are born on hairy stalks. The plant has three leaflets on a divided leaf. Fragaria […]
Amelanchier spp. – Serviceberries
Serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.) are a group of 20+ species of deciduous shrubs and small trees in the rose family. Serviceberries will usually be found in full sun. Serviceberries, also known as Juneberries, are one of the first trees to bloom in the spring and one of the first berries to ripen in the summer. The […]
Aronia melanocarpa – Black Chokeberries
Black Chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) are edible, native berries that mature in early Fall. Black chokeberries can be found near swamps, bogs, and lakes. They prefer wet areas. The thornless shrub is self-fertile, so you only need one plant to get berries. Each berry grows on its own stem, in clusters of 2-20 berries. Leaves […]
Cornus kousa – Kousa Dogwood
Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a common landscape plant that is native to Japan, Korea, and China. Kousa dogwood produces edible fruits that ripen in the end of summer. The fruits are ripe when the skin is orange-red and the fruit is slightly soft to the touch and easily pulls off the tree. The fruit […]