Anyone know what these berries are?

[squishy]

Hi guys..

I came across these berries while walking the dog earlier and wondered what they were... any ideas?

Rachael x

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[Mesquite]

They look like mahonia

 

[Juv2112]

Yes it's Mahonia aquifolium, we used to plant lots of these they were popular with landscape architects for stopping shoppers taking shortcuts in carparks along with Pyracantha, Berberis and Rosa rugosa. Crushed berries can look like blood spots, they may be good for dyeing.

 

[squishy]

Thanks guys I thought they looked familiar, I'm sure I have seen them in carparks now you mention it.

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[ozzy1977]

Dont know if edible though.

 

[Mesquite]

Dont know if edible though.

They're edible

 

[Juv2112]

According to wikipedia (must be true) berries are 'rich in vitamin c, though with a very sharp flavour.' Can make wine from them...interesting. Used by First Nation tribes for indigestion aswell.

 

[squishy]

cool

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[Mesquite]

According to wikipedia (must be true) berries are 'rich in vitamin c, though with a very sharp flavour.' Can make wine from them...interesting. Used by First Nation tribes for indigestion aswell.

They also used the bark of the plant for a yellow dye

 

[xylaria]

The seed tastes very bitter. Best lightly cooked then pushed through a cloth to make syrup. It needs some sugar, the syrup is bright pink

 

[squishy]

will have to give that a go if I find any more, there weren't that many berries on the couple of plants I saw.

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[Juv2112]

Get yourself down Tescos or Sainsburys!

 

[squishy]

Where's the fun in that?

Besides, people would think you a bit weird picking fruit in a car park round here

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[xylaria]

Get yourself down Tescos or Sainsburys!

Too right!!!! The carparks are awsome.
Trostre retail park llanelli has mahonia and rosmary. Leeks crosshands has loads of mushrooms, tescos ammanford is good for boletes. Tescos longton staffs has sea buckthorn and ferel apples.

 

[Juv2112]

Too right!!!! The carparks are awsome.
Trostre retail park llanelli has mahonia and rosmary. Leeks crosshands has loads of mushrooms, tescos ammanford is good for boletes. Tescos longton staffs has sea buckthorn and ferel apples.

I know! You can half fill your car before you even get into the shop

 

[Harvestman]

Too right!!!! The carparks are awsome.
Trostre retail park llanelli has mahonia and rosmary. Leeks crosshands has loads of mushrooms, tescos ammanford is good for boletes. Tescos longton staffs has sea buckthorn and ferel apples.

Tescos Pontypool has several non-native whitebeams with large fruits. I'm going to get some this year.

 

[palmnut]

Dont know if edible though.

Look at the 'Plants for a Future' website for questions like that - a great resource and all entries contain citations to their original source.

Here's a linky to the Mahonia entry http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mahonia+aquifolium

Quoting from 'Edible Uses' section:

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 3, 5, 95]. The fruit is almost as large as a blackcurrant and is produced in large bunches so it is easy to harvest[K]. It has an acid flavour, but it is rather nice raw and is especially good when added to a porridge or muesli[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds, though some plants have larger and juicier fruits[K]. The cooked fruit tastes somewhat like blackcurrants[K]. The fruit can also be dried and stored for later use[257]. Flowers - raw. They can also be used to make a lemonade-like drink[183].

But also quoting from 'Known Hazards'

Barberry, goldenseal, oregon grape and other plants containing Berberine should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Avoid if over active thyroid gland. High doses cause vomiting, lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, lethargy, nose bleed, skin & eye irritation and kidney infection. Liquorice as Glycyrrhiza species nullify berberine effects [301].