The branch bark is gray and smooth except for the raised lenticels (pores, ‘spots’). Desscription Nannyberry is a plant which, in the winter, produces clusters of sweet, dark blue, edible berries that can be eaten raw or used to make jams and jellies. Fall color is orange to reds. It can be told from wild raisin by its long-pointed leaf-tips and finely and sharply toothed leaf margins. Heralded as one of the best ornamental small trees in the parks and gardens of North America, the Nannyberry Viburnum seems to hold all the aces when it comes to durability, utility, and loveliness. Sweet edible berries (unlike the berries of most other elderberry species). Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is an underutilised native shrub with edible berries that can be used in so many baked goods. V. lentago) are edible and can be eaten either raw or for making jam, while other species (e.g. Attractive white flowers followed by showy, edible dark blue fruit in fall which persists well into winter. It is more common in states to our north. The genus is in the Honeysuckle family which has edible and mildly-toxic species. Click to see full answer Juneberry fruit is popular eaten fresh. I could not find any reports of human or animal toxicity associated with the Viburnum odoratissimum . The native Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is smaller than Nannyberry, but a remarkable wildlife shrub all the same. Planting and Cultivation Notes The "perfect" flowers - having both male and female parts - are self-infertile and cross pollination is … They should be a dark purple/magenta color but not turning wrinkled and dry. 17 Votes) The fruit of some species (e.g. The winter budsare light red, covered with pale scurfy down, pr… Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) Nannyberry is a tall shrub that grows in a variety of soils. The bark of some species is used in herbal medicine, as an antispasmodic and to treat asthma. Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked [2, 3, 55, 62, 65, 257]. Nannyberry berries stay on the shrub into winter. Nice small landscaping tree reaching 15 to 20′ at maturity. What distinguishes the lovely Nannyberry Viburnum? Known also as the Sheepberry and Sweet Viburnum. Nannyberry definition, sheepberry. Once harvested, the berries will only remain fresh in the refrigerator for about three days. 2013 is a good year! The name “wild raisin” describes these small edible berries quite well. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is a lesser-known native, but you can get them in the nursery trade now – St. Lawrence carries whips. Nannyberry is a little more tolerant of dry soils than its cousins the Hobblebush and Wild Raisin. Okay, just one more! Nannyberry: A Unique Fall Fruit This video covers the identification, harvest, and preparation of nannyberry ( Viburnum lentago ), a native fruit that ripens in the fall. The fruit is pulpy, and tastes almost exactly like a raisin. Viburnum, Nannyberry. I discovered a wild edible growing twenty yards from our mailbox. Nannyberry is a plant which, in the winter, produces clusters of sweet, dark blue, edible berries that can be eaten raw or used to make jams and jellies. This can take a couple of minutes if you have a mouthful, then you spit the seeds out. Fruits are edible and may be eaten off the bush when ripe or used in jams and jellies. Foliage is also edible. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF NANNYBERRY Very hardy shrub that can grow in full sun as well as shade, and will tolerate dry soils (but prefers medium to moist). Fruits are edible. Wild raisins are a member of the viburnum family, and like nannyberry and hobbleberry, they contain a large flat seed. A little rangy, but carry great fruit, considered the best of the Viburnums. If picked when just a little under ripe, it has a tartness that translates well into pies and preserves. Creamy white flowers in spring are showy as are the fruits in the fall which are edible. This is a bush to a small tree found in damp areas on the edges of woods, or in woods that are not too dark. The fruit is variable in size and quality, the best being about 15mm long, pulpy, very sweet, somewhat juicy and pleasant tasting but with a thick skin and a single large seed [43, 82, 101, 159, 183]. One forager describes the taste of the nannyberry as “hints of banana, prunes, raisins and even a slight "holiday spice," all with a distinctive and unique Nannyberry flavor.” In fact there is some research that suggest it might have some anti-cancer properties. Nannyberry is a native plant species of Midwestern United States, Southern Canada, Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and the Appalachian mountains of the far south in Kentucky and Virgini White flowers bloom in May and the leaves turn a burgundy color in the Fall. Important food plant for wildlife in the winter. It spreads gradually from a central clump, forming nicely shaped thickets. This Midwest native is typically found in woodlands and wood edges, a great plant for naturalizing. In late spring it has vibrant white flowers which give way to berries, benefiting pollinators … This is Nannyberry's "trademark." It can also be dried for winter use. The berries of this species are edible and quite versatile. 4.4/5 (130 Views. Nanny goats apparently feed on the ripe berries (reportedly more so than billy goats), hence the common name. V. opulus) are mildly toxic and can cause vomiting if eaten in quantity. The fruit is edible and can be used to make jams and jellies. The twigs are pale green and covered with rusty down at first, later becoming dark reddish brown, sometimes glaucous, smooth, tough, flexible, and produce an offensive odor when crushed or bruised. Oct 3, 2015 - Nannyberry (viburnum lentago), also known and sheepberry and sweet viburnum, is now ripe for picking. It is a large shrub or small tree growing upwards to 9 m (30 ft) tall with a trunk up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter and a short trunk, round-topped head, pendulous, flexible branches. Classified as endangered in Missouri, possibly due to Missouri being on the southern edge of its range. Starting in September, every time I picked up the mail, I popped a handful of nannyberries in my mouth and slowly chewed, separating the meaty pulp from the seeds. American beautyberry berries become edible upon reaching full ripeness which usually occurs in late summer to early fall. Known also as the Sheepberry and Sweet Viburnum. It can grow from 12-16′ and beyond in optimal conditions, with a comparable spread. Nannyberry is grown as a large shrub or a small tree reaching 15 to 20 feet high, known for its dark, lustrous green leaves which turn maroon-red in the fall. Plant in full sun to dappled shade in average moist well-drained soils. Not only are they delicious, but they are easy to identify and very easy to pick. ), please check the links and invasive species pages … These berries can be eaten raw and have a mild, slight medicinal flavor. The bark is reddish- to grayish-brown, and broken into small scales. Zones 3-7. ... For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc. It can also be made into jellies, jams, pies, and even wine. For more information comparing nannyberry to other Viburnums, please see Minnesota Wildflowers . Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) A multi-stemmed suckering shrub, Nannyberry is loaded with clusters of drooping berries in the fall that are small but tasty. They tend to wrinkle as they ripen, increasing the raisin resemblance. The berries are edible. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago). These berries can be stored by freezing, canning, or drying. Nannyberry (V. lentago) is a closely related, similar-looking species that grows in the same habitats. It also has a higher vitamin C content. Use as a small tree, a hedge, in naturalized areas or woodland settings. Note the flat seed with a ridge along the middle at the left of the photo. See more. The fruit of the nannyberry can be eaten raw, stewed, or baked. The edible berries can be used to make jams and jellies. Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz. Nannyberry is not only common throughout most of Minnesota, it's become a fairly popular landscaping shrub in urban areas. It is not yet a fruit which is widely recognized as being edible, but its sweet juicy berries and well-worth picking. Nannyberry fruit is a preferred food source for migrating birds – and beautiful, too. It is not yet a fruit which is widely recognized as being edible, but its sweet juicy berries and well-worth picking. 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