Last Updated on October 16, 2023
Have you ever stumbled upon honeysuckle berries while wandering through the woods and wondered if they were safe to eat or poisonous? It’s a common question, and the answer is not so straightforward. While most wild honeysuckle berries are indeed poisonous, there are certain varieties of honeysuckle, cultivated in gardens, that produce tasty and nutritious berries. In this article, we will delve into the world of edible honeysuckle and explore the key differences between edible and poisonous honeysuckle fruit.
You're reading: Are Honeysuckle Berries Safe to Eat? (Distinguishing Edible from Poisonous Varieties)
Exploring the World of Edible Honeysuckle
As enthusiasts of wild edible plants, it’s fascinating to discover how many of them can be utilized for food and medicine. However, it is crucial for foragers to conduct thorough research and identify which plants are safe to consume and which are toxic, as there are numerous poisonous plants in the wild. Honeysuckles are a prime example of plants that require careful attention and knowledge.
As late summer and fall approach, avid foragers eagerly search for the last remnants of tasty morsels. You may have noticed edible crab apples, abundant black chokeberries, or even tried the mountain ash berries growing on street trees nearby. Other lingering edible fruits include hackberries, hawthorn berries, highbush cranberries, and of course, the ever-available pine and spruce that provide year-round edibles such as pine needle tea and spruce tea.
However, beware if you come across small red honeysuckle berries growing on a bush. Most wild honeysuckle fruits are poisonous, with varying degrees of toxicity.
Differentiating Poisonous Honeysuckle from Edible Varieties
It’s not uncommon to witness individuals plucking a berry off a bush and consuming it without having any idea about its identity. In some cases, these lucky individuals manage to escape unharmed. However, there are instances where even a small nibble can have fatal consequences, such as with extremely poisonous plants like yews (which should never be ingested).
Honeysuckles epitomize plants that demand attention from foragers. They require meticulous research to identify which species produce edible flowers and berries. The small red berries you commonly spot during late summer and fall are hardly ever edible. It’s best to avoid them and save yourself from potential stomachaches or worse.
The only honeysuckles that can be reliably consumed are those specifically grown as food-producing plants, typically known as haskap berries or honeyberries. These elongated blue fruits ripen in the early spring, long before their poisonous counterparts and most other fruits. That’s precisely why people love growing them, making them an excellent addition to any permaculture garden.
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-> Always ensure you positively identify any plant before foraging. Utilize reputable foraging guides or seek advice from local experts, especially if you’re a first-timer. Check out some of the recommended foraging books to add to your home reference library. Additionally, consider taking an online foraging course, like the one offered by the Herbal Academy, to gain confidence in plant identification and wildcrafting skills.
Identifying Poisonous and Edible Honeysuckle Berries and Flowers
Honeysuckles, part of the Caprifoliaceae family, are cold-hardy plants native to Northern America, Europe, and Asia. With over 180 species belonging to the Lonicera genus, distinguishing one honeysuckle from another can be quite challenging.
Foraging expert Green Deane emphasizes the complexity of the honeysuckle family, stating, “It has edible members and toxic members, edible parts, toxic parts, and they mix and match. Some are tasty, some can stop your heart. So you really have to make sure which one you have and which part is usable and how.”
Compounding the difficulty is the dearth of information regarding the edibility of certain species within the genus. As a precautionary measure, assume that wild honeysuckle berries are NOT edible unless advised otherwise by a local foraging expert. Harvest edible honeysuckle berries exclusively from plants specifically grown for consumption.
One of the most widespread honeysuckle species in North America is the invasive Lonicera japonica, or Japanese honeysuckle, which showcases fragrant and beautiful flowers in spring. Although the subsequent fruit of this honeysuckle is poisonous, you can utilize the spring blossoms in various honeysuckle recipes.
Honeysuckle Growth Habit
Honeysuckles can grow as small shrubs or climb as vines, eventually reaching lengths of up to 80 feet!
Honeysuckle Leaves
Leaves are oval-shaped with smooth edges and grow opposite each other. Some species have leaves with stems, while others do not. Certain species possess leaves with hairs, while others lack them. As you can see, identifying honeysuckle varieties can be quite tricky!
Honeysuckle Flowers
Honeysuckles display distinctive trumpet-shaped flowers that come in various colors. You’ve likely encountered the white and yellow flowers of Japanese honeysuckle growing wildly. Other honeysuckle species offer beautiful shades of pink or orange.
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Some honeysuckles, like the Japanese variety, don’t fully form trumpets. Instead, they possess four prominent stamens between the “lips” of the flower blossoms, making them easily distinguishable.
Honeysuckle Fruit
Wild honeysuckle berries are usually round and vary in color. Japanese honeysuckle berries are dark purple, while native honeysuckles such as L. canadensis, sempervirens, dioica, or reticulata produce red or orange berries. Just a few minutes away from my house, I discovered honeysuckle fruits in an array of different colors.
Honeysuckle berries can grow in small clusters, pairs, or individually. Cultivated edible honeysuckle berries (haskap berries) developed for human consumption tend to be blue to dark purple, often with a white coating. They are typically elongated rather than round. Only consume honeysuckle fruit that you know to be edible, which generally includes those grown in a garden or on a berry farm.
Can You Safely Consume Honeysuckle Berries?
In general, the answer is no when it comes to wild honeysuckle berries. However, there are exceptions. Stick to edible species of honeysuckle, such as haskaps or honeyberries, which are specifically cultivated for food. Avoid consuming wild honeysuckles and appreciate their beauty from a safe distance.
If you’re interested in foraging for other delicious and non-toxic fruits, consider the following recommendations for summer foraging:
- Juneberries or saskatoon berries
- Mulberries
- Wild black raspberries
- Elderberries (Despite online rumors, black elderberries are NOT poisonous!)
Our foraging archives are full of amazing information about many other delectable wild plants waiting to be explored.
Save this important information about distinguishing edible from poisonous honeysuckle for future reference!
Photo credits for the cover and pin: Yaroslava Pravedna, dexns, jonnysec, Joan D Squared
Disclaimer: While HealthyGreenSavvy and EcoSavvy Writing LLC always strive to provide thorough and accurate information, we assume no liability or responsibility for any consequences, health issues, or symptoms resulting from the consumption or contact with any plant described on this website. It is always the reader’s responsibility to ensure accurate plant identification and consult multiple reputable sources. If you have any doubts about the identity of a plant, do not consume it.
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Category: Snake Plant
