Native Plants
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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
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Thursday - March 22, 2012
From: Titusville, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Edible Plants, Shrubs
Title: Is the fruit of American Beautyberry (French Mulberry) edible?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am trying to find out if the "American Beautyberry" or "French Mulberry" fruit is edible? Can you tell me? Your website's information about this plant has been the most informative information I've come across. Thanks for your website.ANSWER:
We have had other inquiries that concern the edibility of Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry) so I am going to refer you to those questions and Mr. Smarty Plants answers:
Here is what Delena Tull in Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest says about eating American beautyberry:
"I have found several sources stating that the fruit is safe to eat, and several stating that it is inedible....I have talked to one woman who reported feeling slight nausea after eating beauty-berry jelly. Personally, I discourage its use for food. The raw fruit has an unpleasant flavor."
According to Charles Allen in Edible Plants of the Gulf South. Allen's Native Ventures (2005):
"The fruits are edible and the later in the season the better. The taste is sweet with an aromatic hint and perhaps could be made into a pie or jelly."
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