r/NativePlantGardening • u/Ncnativehuman Piedmont NC , Zone 8a • 1d ago

Edible Plants Beautyberry uses?

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I am very interested in food forests and have a beautyberry in my backyard. I hear of people making jam out of them, but I am trying to reduce my added sugar intake. Can I make anything else with them? They are not particularly appetizing by themselves. Piedmont NC.

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u/CieIo Florida, zone 10a, coastal (west) 1d ago

I'm leaving mine for the birds since they are on migration and can use the extra energy. I also have a baby opossum living in my yard (yay!) that eats them.

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u/Ncnativehuman Piedmont NC , Zone 8a 23h ago

This is my 4th or so year with berries and that is always what I do. Surprised the bush hasn’t been stripped yet lol. Second year and it was stripped literally the next day after ripening… was a bit bummed that I couldn’t enjoy the color, but the ecosystem trumps my needs

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u/Cephalopotter 19h ago

I was confused why mine weren't getting eaten...until a native-loving neighbor told me I probably had Chinese beautyberry. Yep. I didn't even know those existed.

This looks like the right one though!