In Northwest Arkansas, you can often find beautiful wild berries. Wild blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries can be good to eat…but what about the other berries, equally beautiful and tempting, that you often meet when hiking or even strolling through the woods and meadows?
It’s important to let kids know that they should not forage for berries and eat them. Even if they can identify plants, that won’t make wild berries safe to eat.
For example, honeysuckle plants have beautiful, deep red berries. Some taste sweet and are edible, but some are toxic. They can cause stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many other berries have the same situation — one variety is safe, but another variety is poisonous. Children should not be expected to distinguish between safe and dangerous specimens.
There are also some wild berries that are always poisonous. Pokeberries, for example, are toxic. Carolina snailseed is bitter and irritating to the mouth and — if swallowed — to the digestive system as well. Both can look delicious.
Teach children, first, not to eat wild berries. If you enjoy foraging, teach children to check with you before eating any wild berries. Even if you are an experienced forager, consider using an app like PlantNet to identify plants before tasting.
Sometimes, autumn berries are used in decorating. If you like to use them in flower arrangements, be sure to keep them out of reach of children.
Some of the wild berries in Northwest Arkansas:
- Red cedar
- Spicebush
- Virginia creeper
- Tupelo tree
- Carolina snailseed
- Juniper berries
- American beautyberry
- Sumac berries
- Elderberries
- Invasive honeysuckle
- Sparkleberry
- Pokeweed
What to do if your child eats wild berries
If you’re not sure what kind of berry your child has eaten, or you’re not sure what type of berry it is, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. You can also use the online tool. Either will help you determine whether or not you need to see a doctor.
If possible, snap a picture of the plant, including its leaves, to show the medical professionals who help you. If you have questions, ask your pediatrician.