Viburnum, Nannyberry. The berries of this species are edible and quite versatile. Nannyberry berries stay on the shrub into winter. The bark of some species is used in herbal medicine, as an antispasmodic and to treat asthma. ), please check the links and invasive species pages … Plant in full sun to dappled shade in average moist well-drained soils. It can also be dried for winter use. It is more common in states to our north. The genus is in the Honeysuckle family which has edible and mildly-toxic species. ... For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc. Nannyberry definition, sheepberry. The fruit is edible and can be used to make jams and jellies. This can take a couple of minutes if you have a mouthful, then you spit the seeds out. Nannyberry is not only common throughout most of Minnesota, it's become a fairly popular landscaping shrub in urban areas. 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. 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.” Sweet edible berries (unlike the berries of most other elderberry species). I discovered a wild edible growing twenty yards from our mailbox. The fruit is pulpy, and tastes almost exactly like a raisin. Nannyberry is a little more tolerant of dry soils than its cousins the Hobblebush and Wild Raisin. 17 Votes) The fruit of some species (e.g. What distinguishes the lovely Nannyberry Viburnum? Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is a lesser-known native, but you can get them in the nursery trade now – St. Lawrence carries whips. The branch bark is gray and smooth except for the raised lenticels (pores, ‘spots’). Planting and Cultivation Notes The "perfect" flowers - having both male and female parts - are self-infertile and cross pollination is … 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. It can grow from 12-16′ and beyond in optimal conditions, with a comparable spread. Nannyberry (V. lentago) is a closely related, similar-looking species that grows in the same habitats. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) Nannyberry is a tall shrub that grows in a variety of soils. Known also as the Sheepberry and Sweet Viburnum. It also has a higher vitamin C content. Use as a small tree, a hedge, in naturalized areas or woodland settings. 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. It has sweet, edible, blue-black fruits. Juneberry fruit is popular eaten fresh. Known also as the Sheepberry and Sweet Viburnum. Nanny goats apparently feed on the ripe berries (reportedly more so than billy goats), hence the common name. White flowers bloom in May and the leaves turn a burgundy color in the Fall. The fruit of the nannyberry can be eaten raw, stewed, or baked. 2013 is a good year! Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked [2, 3, 55, 62, 65, 257]. It can be told from wild raisin by its long-pointed leaf-tips and finely and sharply toothed leaf margins. The native Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is smaller than Nannyberry, but a remarkable wildlife shrub all the same. 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. These berries can be stored by freezing, canning, or drying. Nannyberry (viburnum lentago), also known and sheepberry and sweet viburnum, is now ripe for picking. 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. 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. 4.4/5 (130 Views. These berries can be eaten raw and have a mild, slight medicinal flavor. Nannyberry fruit is a preferred food source for migrating birds – and beautiful, too. 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]. See more. For more information comparing nannyberry to other Viburnums, please see Minnesota Wildflowers . In fact there is some research that suggest it might have some anti-cancer properties. It is not yet a fruit which is widely recognized as being edible, but its sweet juicy berries and well-worth picking. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is an underutilised native shrub with edible berries that can be used in so many baked goods. A little rangy, but carry great fruit, considered the best of the Viburnums. Fruits are edible. V. opulus) are mildly toxic and can cause vomiting if eaten in quantity. This Midwest native is typically found in woodlands and wood edges, a great plant for naturalizing. It can also be made into jellies, jams, pies, and even wine. Attractive white flowers followed by showy, edible dark blue fruit in fall which persists well into winter. Click to see full answer I could not find any reports of human or animal toxicity associated with the Viburnum odoratissimum . Zones 3-7. Nannyberry Viburnum is an upright, multi-stem shrub, very popular in the American landscape. Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz. Oct 3, 2015 - Nannyberry (viburnum lentago), also known and sheepberry and sweet viburnum, is now ripe for picking. The bark is reddish- to grayish-brown, and broken into small scales. Creamy white flowers in spring are showy as are the fruits in the fall which are edible. Foliage is also edible. Nice small landscaping tree reaching 15 to 20′ at maturity. It spreads gradually from a central clump, forming nicely shaped thickets. They should be a dark purple/magenta color but not turning wrinkled and dry. Important food plant for wildlife in the winter. Okay, just one more! 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). Once harvested, the berries will only remain fresh in the refrigerator for about three days. 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