The Florida Elderberry is plentiful in many areas and is a favorite edible for those who forage for Mother Nature’s free food. While this wild food is considered poisonous in some other states (red elderberry), this particular plant produces dark purple or black looking fruit that is edible. All parts of the Florida edible elderberry are NOT edible so be very cautious. Here are several ways natives of Florida and foragers alike have used the edible elderberry.
Syrup
You can collect the fully ripe (black) berries and make syrup for later use on pancakes or to use as a remedy for the flu. Collect the Florida edible elderberry fruit, carefully remove them from the stems, rinse, and then place them in a pan with plenty of water. Simmer the berries until a dark syrup consistency forms. After the berries have cooled, squeeze the berries through cheese cloth to remove the tiny seeds. Place the elderberry juice into a pan and add sugar. If you are planning to use the elderberry syrup for treating the flu, you may not want to add any sugar. If you are using the syrup for pancakes you will want to add a couple of cups of your favorite sugar and simmer till thick.
Trail Nibble
The Florida edible elderberry can be picked right off the bush and eaten raw as long as the berries are completely black. They have a mild taste but are very good when added to oatmeal. There is no need to remove the seeds from black elderberries but it is crucial to remove them from red ones. Unlike the Florida edible elderberry, the seeds from red elderberries are toxic to humans.
Medicine
For thousands of years Floridians used syrup made from the Florida edible elderberry to treat the flu. Many Indian women use to drink small amounts of tea made from the bark for menstrual pain. Of course this is not recommended today as there are safer methods. The berries from the Florida edible elderberry were also used as a laxative and diuretic (CC The Editors, 2007).
Arrows and Flutes
To many prehistoric Florida Indians, the Florida edible elderberry also provided them with arrows made from the stems of the elderberry plant. They also made flutes by removing the poisonous inner pith from the stems (CC The Editors, 2007).
Note
There are many other uses of the Florida edible elderberry and these are just a few. Always properly identify any potential edible plant before eating. Seek the advice of a local professional whenever possible.
More from Teresa:
How to Harvest and Cook Kudzu Leaves
How to Make Kudzu Jelly (Tastes Like Grape)
How to Catch Rain Water While Camping
How to Build a Stone Oven While Camping
Sources
CC The Editors of Stackpole Books (2007). Survival Wisdom and Know How: Everything You Need to Know to Thrive in the Wilderness.
Deuerling, R. J. & Lantz, P. S. (1993). Florida’s Incredible Wild Edibles. Florida Native Plant Society, Orlando, Florida.
Personal experience
