Saskatchewan'S Edible Wild Fruits And Nuts

GardenLine | Fruit to Grow and Pick | Saskatchewan'S Edible Wild Fruits And Nuts

Mary Beckie

Saskatchewan's prairies and northern forests are host to a variety of wild fruit and nut producing plants. These plants are well adapted to local environments and climates, and played a major role in the diet and medicines of indigenous people and early pioneers. Although most of us still enjoy a saskatoon berry pie and hotcakes with chokecherry sauce, the majority of our fruits and vegetables now come from imported sources. The following brief survey of some of Saskatchewan's edible wild fruits and nuts is meant to introduce you to nature's offerings. There is growing interest in the cultivation of native fruits, and the success of commercial saskatoon berry production suggests this may be a viable area for agricultural diversification.

The Saskatoon (Amelanchiar alnifolia), is one of a group of related species (also known as serviceberry, Juneberry, lancewood and various other names) widespread throughout the interior of North America. Saskatoon shrubs vary in size and appearance, influenced by genetic variability and growing conditions. They will grow almost anywhere, but prefer well-drained moist soils. They are cold and drought tolerant. White flowers appear in early to late May or early June, and the purple fruit ripens in early to late July. The berries have a pleasing and unique flavour, and are also high in iron and copper. They are good eaten fresh or in desserts. Indigenous peoples used them in soups, stews and pemmican. They were also used in medicines for stomach and liver problems, and the juice was used as a dye. They can be propagated from seed, cutting, or suckers.

The Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is similar in its habitat preferences to the saskatoon. The white flowers, appearing in late May to early June, form long bottle-brush like clusters. The fruits ripen in August, and can be yellow, orange, red or dark purple in colour. The fruit is astringent, but makes good jellies, jams and sauces. Other parts of the plant were used by native peoples for medicinal purposes. The roots were chewed and placed on wounds to prevent bleeding, and the bark was boiled with other ingredients to treat diarrhoea and fever. Chokecherries can be propagated from seed, cuttings, suckers and crown division.

High and Low Bush Cranberries (Viburnum trilobum and V. edule), are not true cranberries, but members of the honey suckle family. They are widespread in Canada, and prefer moist, well- drained soils and are shade tolerant. They flower in late May to early June, and the fruit ripens in mid to late August. The fruit is bright red, rich in vitamin C and is sour and tastes like a cranberry. The bark, boiled in a tea, was used as a muscle relaxant. The plants can be propagated from cuttings.

The Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea), is a drought tolerant, sun-loving, nitrogen-fixing, thorny shrub often found in light soil of ravines and stream banks. They sucker readily and are recommended for shelter belts. White flowers appear in late April or early May, and the orange or red fruit ripens in early to late fall. The fruit is bitter, but sweetens after a frost and were used by indigenous people to flavour meat. They are high in iron, and were also used as a tonic for blood disorders. They make good jellies and pies. The Buffaloberry can be propagated by seed or by transplanting root suckers.

The Pincherry (Prunus pennsylvanica) is a drought tolerant, shade intolerant large shrub that is widespread throughout Canada. Attractive white flowers appear briefly in May or June. By midsummer, clusters of acidic dark red fruit on long stalks attached to a single point, are ready to be made into jellies or desserts. The young thin bark, containing small amounts of hydrocyanic acid, was used in a tea by native people to treat bronchial and stomach ailments.

The Blueberry (Vaccinum sp.) is a low growing shrub, widespread throughout Canada, and several species occur in the acidic soils of northern Saskatchewan's forests and muskeg. The fruit is excellent to eat fresh or in desserts and preserves. The fruit was dried and the leaves were used in teas by indigenous peoples. Blueberries will only grow successfully in acidic soils.

Lingonberries (Vaccinum vitis-idaea) are related to blueberries, and found in boreal forests, but the fruit is more like the traditional bog cranberry. These creeping low shrubs flower in late May or early June, and the fruit ripens in mid to late August. The fruit is bright red, juicy and flavourful, and perhaps, best eaten after a frost. The fruit, used to aid digestion, was considered one of the most important edible wild fruits by indigenous people. They have also been an integral part of Scandinavian and northern Eurasian diet for centuries. These plants can be propagated from seed, rhizomes and cuttings, but like blueberries will only do well in acidic soils.

Gooseberries and currants (Ribes sp.) can be found in shaded moist soils throughout Saskatchewan. These usually thorny shrubs are distinguished by their palmate leaves and early spring white blossoms. Berries, ripening in midsummer, range in colour from green and yellow to red and purple. The fruit varies from tart to sweet, is good fresh or in desserts and preserves, and is high in vitamin C. The plants can be propagated from seed, by simple and mound layering, and from cuttings.

The wild rose (Rosa acicularis) - prickly rose, R. woodii - wood rose) is a common prairie shrub. They are sun-loving and prefer well-drained rich soil, and are commonly found in ditches. The shrubs flower from June to August, and the rosehip fruit ripens from mid August to late September. Rosehips are rich in vitamins C and A, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. A tea, brewed from the roots, was used by the Blackfoot to treat diarrhoea. The plants can be propagated by seed, cuttings, transplanting suckers, and layering.

The Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) is a spreading shrub that likes the moist well-drained soils of aspen and aspen-spruce forests. The flowers appear early to mid-May before the leaves open. The nut, encased in a long brown or green sheath, is produced in clusters of 1-4, and ripens in late summer of early fall. These plants can be propagated from seed, by transplanting suckers or by layering.

Hawthorns (Crataegus) are large shrubs or small trees with sharp thorns or spines on the stem, and have alternate, sometimes lobed leaves. White flowers are borne in clusters at the ends of the branches. The red, berry-like fruits contain bony carpels. The fruits are used in jellies and preserves. Hawthorns can be propagated from seed or root cuttings.

The Elder or Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) can be found throughout Saskatchewan, in low damp areas. They grow from 5 to 12 ft. high, blooming in June and July, with star-shaped fragrant flowers. Purple black berries mature in September and October. The fruit can be made into jellies, pies and wine. All parts of the plant are reputed to have medicinal properties that can be used to treat a number of ailments, including headaches, palsy, rheumatism, syphilis, jaundice, kidney disorders and epilepsy. Many cultures throughout history believed that the Elder could maintain or restore good health, and aid in longevity.

References:

Budd's Flora of the Canadian Prairie Provinces. 1979. Agriculture Canada

Sustainable horticultural information, offered free of charge to the public with the support of the University of Saskatchewan Extension Division, the Department of Plant Sciences and the Provincial Government.