I.D these berries please

[Gibbsy]

Anyone recognise these berries.

I found them while out walking and thought they looked like gooseberries but they were about 5 feet up on a bush and attached to a vine.

 

[Gibbsy]

I think I may of answered my own question, it looks as if they are black bryony (tamus communis).

 

[bushcraftbob]

are they edible?

 

[The Joker]

Indeed it looks like bryony, and yes poisonous

 

[xylaria]

are they edible?

If eaten burning and blistering of the mouth followed by vomiting and diarrhoea; death may result ( cooper johnson 84)

I will do a berry post thing like i did with fungi, with a big list with all the nasties on it.

 

[Toddy]

That's a very good idea and will be much appreciated.

Re the berries; tbh I hadn't a clue, I'm pretty sure I've never seen it before and when I looked it up, after it was named, it was pretty apparant why. It's really rare in Scotland and Ireland, so not something we'd be familaiar with.
http://www.the-tree.org.uk/EnchantedForest/WoodlandFlowers/blackbryony.htm

It's good to see stuff like this thread though, 'cos *rare* doesn't mean *never

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Alex...]

I thought it may have been deadly nightshade....

But only a guess and for me, I wouldnt eat it anyway as it looks quite similar...both are poisonous so no loss really. But I would love someone to point out the difference between the two.

 

[British Red]

Black Bryony without a doubt. The give away Alex, (as well as the vine like climbing habit - a bit like honeysuckle) is the heart shaped glossy leaves with very pronounced lobes evident in both pictures. Very common round here climbing through the hedgreows. The berries do cahnage colour and, in one place round here, climb through a Guelder rose which could cause some nasty confusion!

Red

 

[Karr]

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

I have been pondering about this plant for sometime. Is there any reference to any Ancient European, or any hunter gatherer tride ever eating the tuber.

Could the tuber have been prepared like the Checky yam?

Plants for a future- Black bryony contains Saponins (can be used to stupefy fish) that are poorly absorbed by the body, and tend to pass through. They are also broken down through cooking.

The main toxic effect is by Calcium oxalate, found mainly in the fruit. Some web searches have said it is also contained in the tuber.
Some contradictions have arisen for Calcium oxalate. Some say it is destroyed when cooked or dryed. Others say it is not destroyed- but only in reference to fish, ie Mackeral.
Calcium oxalate is found in many a food source, including Spinach,Carrots even Hawthorn leaves.

I am not suggesting anyone go out and try, probably to toxic to prepare in any manner.
But who knows, it may have been used. Any ideas.


Regards Sparrow.