Dogwood trees have gorgeous flowers and berries, making this family a famous plant ornament and fruit. About 60+ species of mainly woody plants make up the Cornus genus, some of which can be considered small trees in the wild.
Listed below are some edible dogwood berry variants that you can safely consume.
Kousa dogwood berries
Large areas of the Asian continent are home to the Kousa dogwood tree, particularly in China, Japan, and Korea. The mature tree can grow up to 30 feet in height and width, with oval leaves that taper to a point about 4 inches long.
This dogwood variant is easy to manage because it has few insects or disease problems and can tolerate shade. Towards the end of the year, the leaves turn a stunning shade of crimson to purple, giving it another outstanding quality.
Blue dogwood berries
Cornelian cherry dogwood hails from Eurasia and is considered a delectable sour fruit. Dark blue berries bloom in the fall where the leaves meet the branches, giving the tree a regal appearance.
These berries are safe to consume; however, skin contact with the tree has been linked to rashes. Even though it has a sour taste, this fruit is said to be delectable by many.
Cornelian dogwood berries
Ornamental cornelian cherries are the most popular type to be seen in residential gardens. Cornelian cherry dogwood is another name for this berry, and it creates clusters of tiny yellow flowers.
In the late summer, these berries turn a cherry red and are tasty. Cherry can be used in jellies, jams, syrups, pies, and wines because they taste like tart cherries.
Are Any Dogwood Berries Poisonous?
Some dogwood tree species are homegrown in the United States, while others, like the well-known Cornelian cherry dogwood berries, are from Eurasia. Because of how beautiful they are throughout the year, they are a popular choice for any environment.
During the spring, these trees bloom, and the berries they bear are bright and cheery. Unfortunately, the berries found on some dogwood variants are not considered edible, and some are even regarded as poisonous.
Flowering dogwood berries
The species of flowering dogwood tree can be found in woodlands and open spaces throughout the eastern United States. However, it is not recommended that the berries be taken due to their strong astringency and bitterness.
Flowering dogwood’s fruit is harmful to humans, but the tree is a good garden ornament. Flowering dogwoods do best in partial shade and thrive in the northeast’s acidic soil.
Gray dogwood berries
Sumac shrubs look and grow like gray dogwood, which is also known as northern swamp dogwood. The elderberry-like red stalks bear white blooms and white fruit as well as white fruit.
While this dogwood’s fruit isn’t suitable for humans, upland game birds and songbirds love it. Before winter sets in, birds pick off the berries, leaving the crimson stalks to dangle against the white backdrop.
Rough leaf dogwood berries
The rough upper leaf surfaces and white fruit make it easy to identify rough-leaf dogwood. Wild animals, such as small birds, use the thickets for nesting and cover since it grows from root sprouts.
In the fall, a magnificent whitish tint appears on the rough leaf dogwood berries after it begins as a greenish color in August. Birds and other wildlife can safely eat these berries, but they are deadly to humans.
Are Dogwood Berries Medicinal?
Dogwood berries, with their high mineral concentration, are also great restoratives. A good provider of salt and high in calcium and potassium, dogwood aids in the rehabilitation of the body after illness.
Dogwood is used to treat headaches, weariness, fever, and diarrhea that won’t go away. It can also be used as a tonic, strength enhancer, appetite stimulant, and appetite stimulant.
Dogwood was once used in place of the medicine quinine to cure malaria. This herb is still used in traditional Chinese medicine, but it’s becoming less popular.
Here are some exciting dogwood facts before we get into the different kinds of dogwood trees, edibility, and proper tree care.
- The blooming of dogwood blooms marks the beginning of maize sowing according to Native American beliefs and practices.
- Dogwood is said to be the tree from which Christ was crucified, according to Christian folklore.
- The dogwood was often given to unmarried ladies as a token of affection during the Victorian era.
- Dogwood berries are a favorite food source for at least 36 different bird species.
- Dogwood bark was traditionally brewed into a tea and used to cure diseases including yellow fever and malaria.
- Dogwood roots are used to make red, yellow, and black colors by boiling them.
What Do Dogwood Berries Taste Like?
In the past, traditional medicine prescribed dogwood berries as a natural diabetic and antihistamine agent, although these claims have never been verified. However, you should consider the professional opinion to correctly identify different dogwood species and speak with your physician before attempting alternative treatments.
Most people avoid eating unripe dogwood berries because of their acrid flavor. Dogwood berries are still acidic when ripe, but they are luscious when they are. They taste similar to sour cherries and cranberries.
The flavor is exceptional for a temperate environment fruit, tasting like a cross between pumpkin and mango. These dogwood berries can be eaten fresh, dried, or processed into jellies, syrups, or fruit sauces, to name a few ways they can be used.
Do not confuse dogwood with Jamaican dogwood, a medicinal plant with soothing qualities that can be found throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. When administered incorrectly, this medication can have life-threatening consequences.
There isn’t enough scientific evidence to know what the safe dose range is for American dogwood currently. If you’re thinking about trying alternative medicine, talk to your doctor first.
Don’t forget that natural products aren’t always risk-free, and the proper dosage is critical, too. To get the best outcomes, it is best to experiment with different doses of American dogwood and see which best dosage is suitable for you.
