If blackberry bushes are cultivated in the garden, the owner will take them without hesitation as soon as the berries are ripe. But what about fruits that grow wild in the wild? Can their berries be indigestible, inedible or even poisonous?
Are blackberries poisonous?
Fruits and leaves of cultivated and wild blackberries are neither poisonous to us humans nor to our pets, butedible, tasty and extremely he althyHowever, blackberries quickly become moldy and are then harmful to he alth. Eggs of the dreaded fox tapeworm can stick to wild blackberries.
What makes blackberries so he althy?
Anthocyanins, which are responsible for the black fruit color, are considered antioxidants. Blackberry leaves are particularly he althy because they contain a lot of tannins. But that's not all. Blackberries arelow in caloriesandhigh in fiberand also contain:
- variousvitamins, especially vitamin C
- Minerals: Chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, sulfur
- Trace elements: iron, fluoride, iodide, copper, manganese, zinc
Can I confuse blackberries with poisonous berries?
Ripe blackberries are almost unmistakable due to their shape, a collective drupe with many pearl-like fruits, and the black colorExcept for thedewberry, which is a subspecies of blackberry and is also edible. An unripe blackberry fruit that is still red can easily be confused with theRaspberry, which is also a collective drupe. The mix-up does not pose a he alth risk as raspberries are also edible and he althy. Unripe, red blackberries taste more bitter than sweet.
Why are moldy blackberries poisonous?
Molds on blackberriesexcrete various toxic substances that act slowly. In humans, they can cause chronic diseases and promote the development of cancer. They also weaken the human immune system.
How do I protect myself from fox tapeworm?
In your own garden, if it is fenced in, you don't have to worry about fox tapeworm. If you pick blackberries in the wild, do this:
- pay attention to designatedfox tapeworm-free areas
- pick over 80 cm height
- Wash berries very thoroughly
Which other blackberries should I avoid?
If your blackberry bush (Rubus sect. Rubus) suffers from gray mold or cherry vinegar fly, the fruits are inedible. Blackberry bushes can also have many other diseases and pests. You should then explicitly find out whether the fruits are still safe to eat. It is also known that chemical sprays are mostly toxic and can stick to fruits and foliage.
Tip
Use blackberry vines as rabbit food
Blackberries are also non-toxic to our pets. Feeding them the delicious berries would be a bit overkill. But vines with green blackberry leaves that come from cutting make good rabbit food. Since blackberries are not allowed to be composted anyway, they find a useful use.
