Beautiful berries! I found a whole bunch of them naturalized in a thicket next to the runoff from a friend's pond. I'd say they're most definitely edible if you're a mockingbird; not really edible for humans. D'you have a good reference for them being edible?
It's my favorite color. I put in one of these because it was recommended in all the "planting for birds" books and articles -- but they leave it very much alone. Beauty bush, indeed.
So I nibbled...and spat for good measure. Discretely. Not like in Chinatown this morning where I was missiled several times.
So: not sweet. Squooshy and a little gritty. An aftertaste quite distinct, in the way that almond essence is. No...not cyanide.
I could see a niche for Beauty Berry essence in baking. Vaguely bitter, but more aromatic in the way I cannot define, never having tasted it before. Too crunchy for jam, I think. But lilac jelly might be fun.
I like this color. Not to wear or paint my living room. But it is as close to artificial color, but not! Intense, purple with undertones of blue & magenta. MMMM.
I took a photo of these at BBG yesterday; birds flitting in and out of them. They look like candy.
I think it's a beautiful colour.
ReplyDeleteIt probably is.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful berries! I found a whole bunch of them naturalized in a thicket next to the runoff from a friend's pond. I'd say they're most definitely edible if you're a mockingbird; not really edible for humans. D'you have a good reference for them being edible?
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite color.
ReplyDeleteI put in one of these because it was recommended in all the "planting for birds" books and articles -- but they leave it very much alone. Beauty bush, indeed.
Reconsidering.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pretty picture. Maybe it's the brownstone behind it that makes it look funny to me.
I like actual violets, which can be this colour.
Don't know. Shall think some more.
QC various online sources say edible: jam, pancakes..others say not sure. I will nibble some tonight and see what happens.
So I nibbled...and spat for good measure. Discretely. Not like in Chinatown this morning where I was missiled several times.
ReplyDeleteSo: not sweet. Squooshy and a little gritty. An aftertaste quite distinct, in the way that almond essence is. No...not cyanide.
I could see a niche for Beauty Berry essence in baking. Vaguely bitter, but more aromatic in the way I cannot define, never having tasted it before. Too crunchy for jam, I think. But lilac jelly might be fun.
I like this color. Not to wear or paint my living room. But it is as close to artificial color, but not!
ReplyDeleteIntense, purple with undertones of blue & magenta. MMMM.
I took a photo of these at BBG yesterday; birds flitting in and out of them. They look like candy.