American silverberries or wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata) is Ontario’s native mealy sour silverberry shrub. It does somewhat resemble willow.
There are several nonnatives around too. Japanese silverberry AKA Autumn olive (E. umbellata) is invasive around Ontario, especially to the south. I have spotted them in the wild to the south.
In cottage country, it’s more of an introduced small tree you’ll occasionally spot in a neighbourhood lawn. Out west, Russian olive (E. angustifolia) gets more notoriety. None are listed in Haliburton Flora, but all are present in Ontario!
Edible Uses of Silverberries
While you can eat the whole berry raw, it’s mealy and astringent.
The ripe berries of silverberry are best cooked, strained, and the pulp mixed with other fruits or sugar to be more palatable. This sour pulp can be used like any other berry, for baking, jam, sorbet, wine, fruit leather, etc. Some folks use the pulp as a tomato puree substitute. The Russian tree is the sweetest of the three mentioned.
You can also juice the mealy berries for a sour-ade, or make a tea out of the fragrant flowers.
The berries are a good source of essential fatty acids.
Medicinal Uses of Silverberries
Silverberry is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Digestive
- Immune
- Respiratory
Medicinal tags include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent and Stimulant. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage in the West is as more of a superfood at present. The berry is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and essential fatty acids. If someone isn’t selling silverberry juice now, someone probably will in the future!
Alternative Uses of Wolf-willow
The seeds can be used as beads.
The fibrous bark can be twisted into rope or used for weaving.
Growing Elaeagnus Commutata
Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata) is native and likes a sunny spot. The silvery foliage is ornamental. It’s wonderful for a silverberry hedge or a mixed hedge. Birds love a berry-full hedge!
Going on a century ago, some resource managers in the USA intentionally planted Japanese/Autumn silverberry, which changes soil chemistry and can destroy native plant communities (doubtful they knew then). There are some hangers-on for this plant in those circles, despite there being so many native shrubs, trees and vines that benefit the wildlife and soil tremendously. This seedy invasive tree can take over an area quickly and birds will spread the seeds far and wide.
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.
#ads in References
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Every book I reference that is available on Amazon is linked to with an associates link.
Disclaimer for Song of the Woods
If you require any more information or have any questions about our site’s disclaimer, please feel free to contact us by email at rachel@songofthewoods.com.
Disclaimers for Song of the Woods
All the information on this website – https://www.songofthewoods.com/ – is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Song of the Woods does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website (Song of the Woods), is strictly at your own risk. Song of the Woods will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website.
From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone ‘bad’.
Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their “Terms of Service” before engaging in any business or uploading any information.
Consent
By using our website, you hereby consent to our disclaimer and agree to its terms.
Update
Should we update, amend or make any changes to this document, those changes will be prominently posted here.
REFERENCES
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://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/plant_insects/plants/elaeagnus_commutata.html
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/1125
Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern & Central North America
Scout’s Guide
Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants (Out of Print)
Leave a Reply