Edible Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
Part to eat: Berries
When to Gather: Fall and winter
Where to Gather: Disturbed areas, flatwoods, hammocks throughout Florida. These areas can be located in parks, and residential areas. You, a friend, or even a neighbor could have one (or several) on their property.
Beautyberry is a common site throughout Florida, especially the wild and untamed areas of North Florida. The berries consumed by birds such as Mockingbirds and Robins, but are also edible to humans. Since the berries have a somewhat nondescript taste to them, they are best eaten as a jam or jelly. Harvesting these little berries is rather quite simple as well - just hold a bowl under the cluster you are trying to remove and wiggle your fingers downward. They will fall right into the bowl. The berries are best harvested in the beginning of their season, at peak ripeness. Just remember to leave at least 50% of the berries on the plant for the birds. Throughout most of Florida, these berries can be harvested in fall and winter; however, in North Florida, once we have our first freeze or two the bushes are done for the year.
Growing a Beautyberry in the home landscape is a relatively easy and rewarding task. Even if you never use the berries for jam, the birds it will attract will be worth it. Beautyberries prefer part sun, but can handle full sun as well. Plant them in a location that is well drained comprised of either sand or loam for optimal success. As the bush matures in height, leaves tend to grow only on the upper half of the bush. This can be a great opportunity to be able to plant shade loving plants underneath the canopy or, if this is not your style, ensure you trim them back to within a foot of the ground each spring. This will also guarantee the berries are easier to reach.
Keep in mind that all plants are edible once. Make sure you are certain on your plant identification and ways that plant may need to be prepared before being consumed. Some plant species have look-a-like species and not all wild and edible plants can be eaten raw. Know your stuff!
Recipes
Beautyberry Cake- from Florida’s Edible Wild Plants
1 1/2 cups unbleached or whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 Tbsp freshly ground ginger root
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup honey
3/4 cup hot water
1 cup beautyberries
Preheat oven to 325 and grease a loaf pan. Mix together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir in wheat germ and ginger root.
In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, oil, molasses, honey, and hot water.
Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and then fold in the beautyberries. Pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the cake tests done.
Visit: https://www.tyrantfarms.com/how-to-use-american-beautyberries-as-food-and-mosquito-repellent/ and scroll towards the bottom to see how to make a beautyberry concentrate to make tea, jello, and more.
The leaves of Beautyberry can also be used as an insect repellant as they have been for hundreds of years. Beautyberry has even been acknowledged by the USDA to have callicarpenal, intermedeol and spathulenol. Click here to read more about how Beautyberry can be used as an insect repellant.