Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Sunday - September 25, 2011
From: Ridgefield, CT
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Plant Identification, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Identification of spiky red berry in Connecticut
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I found an odd berry outside of my school, none of the science teachers know what it is though. It kind of looks like a spiked cherry. It has spikes on the outside, a pit on the insde, and has pinkish red color. I have seen it throughout my town and in other areas of the country. I have seen these dry brown spikes that form on the very same tree that i found this when winter comes. I do not know if it is edible but I won't take chances. What is this strange berry?ANSWER:
From your description I am guessing that the fruit is from the tree Cornus kousa (Kousa dogwood), an introduced tree from Asia. I'm not sure what the fruit looks like in the winter since I've never seen the tree in person; however, one of the photos on the webpage above has a very dark fruit that appears to be older so perhaps the fruits do remain on the tree in winter and are spiky and brown. Here are photos of the fruits and leaves and a close-up of the fruits. The fruit doesn't appear to be poisonous since I could not find it listed on any of the toxic plant databases I searched. As for its edibility, some say "yes, but tasteless", others say "delicious." You can read comments on the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden Forums.
Another introduced possibility is a tree from the Mediterranean region, western Europe and Ireland, Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree). The USDA Plants Database doesn't show a distribution map for this tree but it might be able to survive in Connecticut if it grows in Ireland. The inside of the fruit is yellow and it is edible and reportedly sweet and delicious. Here are more photos and information. Again, I don't know what the fruits look like in the winter.
There is a native shrub that occurs in Connecticut with a fruit that looks a bit like the one you describe. It is Euonymus atropurpureus (Burningbush) and here are more photos. Another native with a similar spiky red fruit, Euonymus americanus (American strawberry-bush), occurs in states adjacent to Connecticut. All parts, including the fruits, of Euonymous spp. are considered poisonous if eaten in large quantities.
Now, for trees with brown spiky fruit in the winter, Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum), is noted for its very spiky fruits. They start out green, however, then turn brown with no, or very little, red in between.
If none of these is the plant with the fruit you saw, please visit our Plant Identification page where you will find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos for identification.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Identification Questions
Identity of plant with white flowers and serrated leaves in creek bed
September 17, 2012 - I have a wild fall blooming plant, white flowers, serrated leaves. Growing abundantly in my dry creek bed. Any thoughts?
view the full question and answer
Identification of tree along Austin highways
April 01, 2011 - I am trying to identify a large tree seen along many Austin Highways. The best ID can find is Western Soapberry, but the articles all specify white blooms. The trees I see have purple clusters of bloo...
view the full question and answer
Plant Identification from Honolulu HI
April 24, 2014 - We have a ground cover in our Honolulu garden that I have been told is Watermelon Plant. (Not the fruit). We would like more, but cannot find it or the proper name for it. Aprox. 6" round leaf. It...
view the full question and answer
Identification of Cercis canadensis or Cornus florida
July 03, 2007 - I have what I think is a dogwood tree of some sort but I'm not sure. I wondered if I sent you a picture you could identify it. So far no one has. It's different because of its branches. They are red...
view the full question and answer
Information about Rose Twisted-Stalk
July 03, 2012 - Dear Mr.(?) Smarty Plants-
I LOVE your name! I cannot find the plant I'm looking to identify in your collection. I saw it in a wildflower book as: Rose Twisted-Stalk. Sprin...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |