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Around Haliburton, nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is one of our uncommon bush cranberries. It may be found on wet banks, river edges, or in wet meadows. It’s on the taller side as bush cranberries go.
In appearance and usage, it’s much like black haw, which grows just to our south in the States. It’s also similar to wild raisin which can be found here. These bush berries all have slightly different tastes.
Edible Uses of Nannyberry
Of all the bush cranberries here, nannyberry has the largest fruits. The ripe autumn berries are a blue-black and soft. Leaves start falling around the same time the fruits ripen. The taste is prune like, and some batches may be more bitter than others. You can eat the berries raw or cooked.
Some also compare the taste to banana, and you can use the pulp in place of banana in a banana bread recipe. It can also be made into nannyberry jam or a fruit leather. The berries will keep in the refrigerator for a few weeks and can be frozen for long term storage.
While these are certainly not our sweetest native berries, they have one of the higher calorie counts as berries go; making them a go-to for the birds.
Medicinal Uses of Nannyberry
Nannyberry is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Digestive
- Reproductive
Medicinal tags include Antispasmodic and Diuretic. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage is the bark used in a concoction for menstrual cramps, same as black haw and highbush cranberry.
Growing Viburnum Lentago
This native all-star can grow very tall and has gorgeous burgundy autumn foliage. I love it for tall sunny hedges, perhaps mixed in with alternate-leaved dogwood and common elderberry. While it prefers moist soil, it’s versatile. You’ll get a more robust berry crop if you plant your shrubs in full sun.
Many species of bees, flies and other pollinators will visit the flowers for nectar and pollen. And it’s a super star for attracting birds. Some species of birds will nest in the branches. And the berries are in high demand. If they aren’t plucked off sooner, the fruits hang on the shrub into winter. They get wrinkled up like raisins. Many birds and small animals eat these winter berries.
WARNINGS
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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RESOURCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!
https://illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/nannyberry.html
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/2447
Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada
Stalking the Healthful Herbs (Field Guide Edition)
The Forager’s Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants
Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants (Out of Print)