Introduction
Gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa) is a common deciduous shrub native to North America. It grows in a variety of habitats, including wetlands, forest edges, thickets, fields and roadsides, typically in moist soils (https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/gray-dogwood/). The shrub produces clusters of small white flowers in late spring, followed by white berries in summer and fall.
Many people wonder if the berries of gray dogwood are edible for humans. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of gray dogwood, including details on the plant’s appearance, growth habits, nutritional value and edibility of the berries, potential dangers, proper foraging guidelines, and culinary and other uses.
The content will aim to satisfy curiosity around the edibility of gray dogwood berries and whether they can be safely consumed. It will draw on expert sources to deliver a substantive analysis beyond the obvious facts.
Appearance and Growth
Gray dogwood is a deciduous shrub that typically grows 4-15 feet tall, sometimes reaching up 27 feet. It has a multi-stemmed, suckering growth form with arching branches. The bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming roughened and scaly as it ages. The leaves are opposite, simple, and oval with an entire margin. They are dark green above and paler green below. The flowers are small, white, and borne in flat-topped clusters. The fruit is a white or lead-colored drupe.
This native shrub is commonly found growing in thickets, woodland edges, fields, and along pond and stream banks. It tolerates a variety of soil types and moisture levels. Gray dogwood can grow in full sun but prefers partial shade. It spreads vigorously by underground rhizomes and can form dense colonies, especially in moist soils.
Sources:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cornus-racemosa/
https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/gray-dogwood/
Gray Dogwood Berries
The berries on gray dogwood shrubs start out green and turn white as they ripen in late summer to early fall. The ripened berries are small, round, and about 1⁄4 inch across. The shrubs propagate by seed from the white berries, which are readily consumed by birds that then spread the seeds through their feces. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, over 100 species of birds feast on the berries.
Nutritional Value
Gray dogwood berries are quite nutritious, containing decent amounts of fiber, protein, and minerals like manganese, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and calcium. They are low in calories, with only 44 calories per 100g serving. The berries contain no fat and minimal amounts of carbohydrates and sugars (Wikipedia, 2021).
Compared to other edible berries like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, dogwood berries contain slightly more fiber and manganese. However, other berries contain higher amounts of vitamins A, C, B6 and other antioxidants. Dogwood berries are lower in sugar and calories than most other common berries (Self Nutrition Data, 2022).
So while dogwood berries offer some nutritional value, especially fiber and manganese, they don’t quite compare to more mainstream edible berries in terms of overall vitamin and antioxidant content. Their main nutritional benefits come from the fiber, protein and minerals they provide (Self Nutrition Data, 2022).
Edibility for Humans
Gray dogwood berries are not toxic to humans and can be eaten raw if desired. However, the berries tend to be extremely tart and bitter, with an astringent, mealy texture. According to the Chop Poison Control Center, while dogwood berries are technically edible for humans, they are quite unpalatable and not widely consumed (Chop). The high tannin content makes dogwood berries taste exceedingly bitter and unpleasant (For the Land). Some foragers describe the flavor as chalky, sour and bitter with an unpleasant aftertaste that lingers in the mouth (For the Land).
Most people find gray dogwood berries completely inedible raw due to their intensely bitter and unpleasant taste. The berries require preparation through cooking, juicing or processing to make them palatable for human consumption.
Potential Dangers
Gray dogwood berries contain traces of toxins like sambunigrin and amygdalin, but not in high enough quantities to be poisonous to humans. Ingesting a large quantity could potentially cause minor stomach upset or diarrhea due to the bitterness and astringency of the berries, but they are not life-threateningly toxic.
Compared to deadly nightshade, dogwood berries have very low toxicity. Deadly nightshade contains high levels of the toxins atropine and scopolamine, making it very poisonous even in small doses. Other non-poisonous berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries have no toxic compounds at all, making gray dogwood berries relatively safe for human consumption.
There have been isolated reports of skin rashes after handling dogwood trees, likely due to contact dermatitis from the sap. So caution is advised for people with skin sensitivities. Overall, gray dogwood berries contain low toxicity for humans when ingested in normal quantities, though some mild stomach upset is possible.
Foraging Guidelines
The ideal time to forage gray dogwood berries is in late summer through early fall when the berries ripen. The best months are August through October. Look for clusters of white berries on pinkish-red stems to identify the shrubs.
Gray dogwood grows in open woods, thickets, fencerows, and roadsides. It is commonly found throughout the eastern and central United States and southeastern Canada. Some of the best places to find gray dogwood for foraging include areas along forest edges, parks, nature preserves, and overgrown fields.
To identify gray dogwood, look for a bushy, multi-stemmed shrub growing up to 10 feet tall. The leaves are oval, dark green, and arranged oppositely along the stems. Small creamy white flowers bloom in late spring. The fruits are whitish berries borne in dense, flattened clusters. The branches turn an attractive reddish-purple color in fall.
When foraging, be 100% certain of your identification before consuming any wild berries. Gray dogwood is easy to confuse with other dogwood species, some of which may be toxic. Look for the characteristic growth habit, leaf shape, flowers, fruits, and bark to positively identify the shrub.
Culinary Uses
The edible berries of gray dogwood shrubs can be used in a variety of culinary applications to make drinks, preserves, baked goods, and more. When ripe, the berries have a mildly sweet flavor that works well in recipes where a little tartness is desirable.
One of the most popular ways to use gray dogwood berries is to make jams, jellies, and preserves. The berries contain natural pectin which helps the preserves to gel and set properly. This dogwood jelly recipe combines the berries with sugar and lemon juice to make a slightly floral, tart jelly perfect for spreading on toast or biscuits.
The berries can also be used to flavor and color beverages. An infused simple syrup made with the berries can be mixed into cocktails, lemonades, or iced teas. Some people also use the berries to make country style wines and cordials.
In baked goods like muffins, scones, or thumbprint cookies, gray dogwood berries add moisture along with subtle sweet-tart flavor. They work well in combination with ingredients like lemon, ginger, almond, and vanilla. The berries can also be used in fruit pies, crumbles, and crisps as a substitute for things like blackberries or raspberries.
Savory dishes can also benefit from the addition of gray dogwood berries. They can be simmered into glazes for meat or whisked into pan sauces. The fresh berries make a great garnish for salads, cheese platters, and bruschetta.
Other Uses
The gray dogwood has been utilized for various purposes beyond its edibility. Native American tribes used the bark and roots to treat toothaches, sore mouths, fever, and headaches (Indiana Native Plant Society). A decoction made from the inner bark provided relief for hemorrhoids and cuts when applied topically. The Potawatomi utilized the bark to aid digestion.
The dense, twiggy growth makes gray dogwood well-suited for habitat, nesting sites, and food for birds, while also providing cover for wildlife. Its adaptability allows it to be planted for soil stabilization near bodies of water. As a landscape plant, gray dogwood can be used for borders, screening, or mass plantings, thanks to its multi-stemmed form and white flowers. It is also known to attract butterflies.
Conclusion
In summary, while gray dogwood berries are edible for humans, they should be consumed in moderation due to the potential mild toxicity from the iridoid glycosides. The raw berries have a bitter taste, so they are best enjoyed cooked in jams, jellies or syrups to bring out the berry flavor. As with any new foraged food, it’s important to try just a small amount at first and wait for any adverse reactions before consuming larger portions. Additionally, make sure you have properly identified the plant since some poisonous berries look similar to edible ones.
When foraging for gray dogwood berries, be sure to avoid plants that may have been sprayed with chemicals or near roadways. Only harvest fully ripe, dark purple-blue berries and clean them thoroughly before eating. While generally safe if consumed in moderation by most people, those with kidney disorders or allergies should exercise additional caution.
In the end, gray dogwood can provide a unique wild berry to add to your foraging repertoire. But always be sure to forage responsibly and safely.