BACKROADS AND BOBTAILS
BLACKBERRIES AND BLUEBERRIES: BENEFICIAL FOR PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE
by Bob Kornegay

According to wildlife biologist Tracy Nelson, two of our region’s most common fruits can be quite important to the health and well-being of both people and several wildlife species. These are the familiar blackberry and blueberry.

"Blackberries," Nelson said, "are one of the most important fruit sources for Southern wildlife and, of course, are a popular wild edible enjoyed by many people. Blackberries have also been used medicinally throughout history to treat and prevent a variety of illnesses."

Wildlife species such as deer, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, and countless birds readily consume blackberry fruits in all stages of development. Deer also browse blackberry leaves as a significant part of their diet from spring through fall. In addition to its food value, blackberry benefits wildlife by providing thickets that serve as protective cover and nesting sites for birds, rabbits, and small rodents.

"Medicinally, the blackberry plant has been used to treat human ailments for many years," Nelson explained. "Blackberry roots were once used to make a tea for alleviating diarrhea and dysentery. In addition, a tea made from dried blackberry leaves has been used by herbalists as a blood purifier. Also, blackberry fruits are rich in dietary fiber and a good source of Vitamin C, making them valuable for maintaining good health."

Of course, folks are most familiar with the blackberry as a popular wild edible. People have always enjoyed the fresh, sweet-tasting fruit that ripens from June through September. In addition, the tender young peeled sprouts and twigs can be eaten raw or added to salads. The leaves can be dried to make a pleasant, healthy tea.

"Blueberries are important natural foods as well," said Nelson. "There are several species of wild blueberries that are beneficial to people and wildlife. These belong to the genus Vaccinium and include Elliott"s blueberry, tree sparkleberry, dryland blueberry, ground blueberry, and deerberry. The fruits of these plants vary in color and include black, blue, green, and yellow. They ripen from August through October and often persist into winter."

Blueberry fruits are eaten by many wildlife species including turkeys, quail, black bears, deer, chipmunks, rabbits, foxes, squirrels, and raccoons. Common songbirds like robins, cardinals, bluebirds, and brown thrashers also relish the fruit. Deer readily browse some blueberry foliage with the greatest use occurring in April and May. Winter browsing also occurs in some areas.

"Wild blueberries," Nelson added, "are also important to people and can be used in much the same manner as their domestically grown counterparts. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried. They can be added to desserts. Historically, Native Americans dried the berries and added them to a combination of pounded venison jerky and fat to make a high-energy food called pemmican. Wild blueberries can also be used in traditional fashion to make jams and jellies."

Medicinally, wild blueberries, like blackberries, are important as well. Blueberries contain antioxidant compounds that have shown promise in reversing some of the negative effects of aging. One species of wild blueberry, tree sparkleberry, was once used widely by herbalists to treat a variety of illnesses such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes. "In short," concluded Nelson,

"people and many wildlife species benefit greatly from blackberries and the various species of blueberries that grow throughout the South. Both the fruits and the foliages provide high-quality wildlife browse and the blackberry plants serve as shelter as well. In the past and the present, people have benefited from both fruits’ medicinal values, and as food items, both are near the top of the list for taste and nutritional value."