In fact there is some research that suggest it might have some anti-cancer properties. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago). Nannyberry is not only common throughout most of Minnesota, it's become a fairly popular landscaping shrub in urban areas. 17 Votes) The fruit of some species (e.g. 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). Use as a small tree, a hedge, in naturalized areas or woodland settings. It has sweet, edible, blue-black fruits. Nannyberry berries stay on the shrub into winter. Known also as the Sheepberry and Sweet Viburnum. Click to see full answer White flowers bloom in May and the leaves turn a burgundy color in the Fall. It is not yet a fruit which is widely recognized as being edible, but its sweet juicy berries and well-worth picking. Not only are they delicious, but they are easy to identify and very easy to pick. The fruit of the nannyberry can be eaten raw, stewed, or baked. This is Nannyberry's "trademark." It is not yet a fruit which is widely recognized as being edible, but its sweet juicy berries and well-worth picking. Known also as the Sheepberry and Sweet Viburnum. American beautyberry berries become edible upon reaching full ripeness which usually occurs in late summer to early fall. A little rangy, but carry great fruit, considered the best of the Viburnums. Nannyberry (V. lentago) is a closely related, similar-looking species that grows in the same habitats. Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz. Nannyberry: A Unique Fall Fruit This video covers the identification, harvest, and preparation of nannyberry ( Viburnum lentago ), a native fruit that ripens in the fall. 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. The name “wild raisin” describes these small edible berries quite well. In late spring it has vibrant white flowers which give way to berries, benefiting pollinators … These berries can be eaten raw and have a mild, slight medicinal flavor. If picked when just a little under ripe, it has a tartness that translates well into pies and preserves. See more. The berries are edible. The bark is reddish- to grayish-brown, and broken into small scales. Oct 3, 2015 - Nannyberry (viburnum lentago), also known and sheepberry and sweet viburnum, is now ripe for picking. Nannyberry Viburnum is an upright, multi-stem shrub, very popular in the American landscape. Nannyberry is a native plant species of Midwestern United States, Southern Canada, Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and the Appalachian mountains of the far south in Kentucky and Virgini Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked [2, 3, 55, 62, 65, 257]. The winter budsare light red, covered with pale scurfy down, pr… Viburnum, Nannyberry. Juneberry fruit is popular eaten fresh. 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. Zones 3-7. Plant in full sun to dappled shade in average moist well-drained soils. 2013 is a good year! The native Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is smaller than Nannyberry, but a remarkable wildlife shrub all the same. The bark of some species is used in herbal medicine, as an antispasmodic and to treat asthma. The genus is in the Honeysuckle family which has edible and mildly-toxic species. What distinguishes the lovely Nannyberry Viburnum? It can also be made into jellies, jams, pies, and even wine. 4.4/5 (130 Views. It is a large shrub or small tree growing upwards to 9 m (30 ft) tall with a trunk up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter and a short trunk, round-topped head, pendulous, flexible branches. They tend to wrinkle as they ripen, increasing the raisin resemblance. Nannyberry fruit is a preferred food source for migrating birds – and beautiful, too. 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. Fall color is orange to reds. The fruit is edible and can be used to make jams and jellies. Okay, just one more! Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is a lesser-known native, but you can get them in the nursery trade now – St. Lawrence carries whips. I could not find any reports of human or animal toxicity associated with the Viburnum odoratissimum . Important food plant for wildlife in the winter. It can also be dried for winter use. Attractive white flowers followed by showy, edible dark blue fruit in fall which persists well into winter. V. lentago) are edible and can be eaten either raw or for making jam, while other species (e.g. For more information comparing nannyberry to other Viburnums, please see Minnesota Wildflowers . The edible berries can be used to make jams and jellies. 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. Wild raisins are a member of the viburnum family, and like nannyberry and hobbleberry, they contain a large flat seed. Nannyberry definition, sheepberry. V. opulus) are mildly toxic and can cause vomiting if eaten in quantity. It spreads gradually from a central clump, forming nicely shaped thickets. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) Nannyberry is a tall shrub that grows in a variety of soils. These berries can be stored by freezing, canning, or drying. It can grow from 12-16′ and beyond in optimal conditions, with a comparable spread. Nanny goats apparently feed on the ripe berries (reportedly more so than billy goats), hence the common name. ... For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc. 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]. They should be a dark purple/magenta color but not turning wrinkled and dry. Classified as endangered in Missouri, possibly due to Missouri being on the southern edge of its range. 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. The berries of this species are edible and quite versatile. Creamy white flowers in spring are showy as are the fruits in the fall which are edible. Nannyberry is a little more tolerant of dry soils than its cousins the Hobblebush and Wild Raisin. This can take a couple of minutes if you have a mouthful, then you spit the seeds out. The fruit is pulpy, and tastes almost exactly like a raisin. Once harvested, the berries will only remain fresh in the refrigerator for about three days. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is an underutilised native shrub with edible berries that can be used in so many baked goods. I discovered a wild edible growing twenty yards from our mailbox. ), please check the links and invasive species pages … It can be told from wild raisin by its long-pointed leaf-tips and finely and sharply toothed leaf margins. Sweet edible berries (unlike the berries of most other elderberry species). Fruits are edible and may be eaten off the bush when ripe or used in jams and jellies. 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 … Foliage is also edible. 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.” Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) A multi-stemmed suckering shrub, Nannyberry is loaded with clusters of drooping berries in the fall that are small but tasty. Nannyberry (viburnum lentago), also known and sheepberry and sweet viburnum, is now ripe for picking. It also has a higher vitamin C content. 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. Fruits are edible. This Midwest native is typically found in woodlands and wood edges, a great plant for naturalizing. Note the flat seed with a ridge along the middle at the left of the photo. 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