in north-central Maine. I assumed it was a juniper until I read that
juniper leaves are sharp and prickly, and the berries too bitter to be
eaten raw. The leaves of this plant were not prickly, and the berries
were sweet.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Can you ID this plant?
in north-central Maine. I assumed it was a juniper until I read that
juniper leaves are sharp and prickly, and the berries too bitter to be
eaten raw. The leaves of this plant were not prickly, and the berries
were sweet.
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Joe Choiniere, director of Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary and naturalist extraordinaire, thinks this might be black crowberry, empetrum nigrum. After googling some images, I believe he is correct. The berry is indeed edible. Flavor is said be bland when raw, but pleasantly enhanced with cooking.
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