Dogwood berries, also known as cornelian cherries, are the small red berries that grow in clusters on dogwood trees. While they may look tempting, many people wonder – do dogwood berries actually taste good? And are they even safe to eat?
The Short Answer
The short answer is that dogwood berries have a bitter, unpleasant taste, and they are generally not eaten by humans. The berries contain chemicals called iridoid glycosides that can cause stomach upset if consumed in large quantities.
What Do Dogwood Berries Taste Like?
Most people describe the taste of dogwood berries as sour, bitter, and unpleasant. Some say they leave a bitter aftertaste in the mouth. The texture is said to be mealy and dry.
Dogwood berries have a flavor profile dominated by tannins, which give them an astringent, puckering quality. They lack natural sugars needed to balance out the bitterness.
Those who have sampled dogwood berries say they taste nowhere near as good as other edible berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.
Are Dogwood Berries Toxic to Humans?
Dogwood berries contain iridoid glycosides, which can cause gastric upset if large quantities are consumed. However, they are not considered highly toxic or poisonous.
Some potential side effects from eating dogwood berries may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
Consuming a few berries is unlikely to cause problems for most people. But ingesting over 20 berries may trigger digestive issues due to the high tannin and iridoid glycoside content.
Evidence Dogwood Berries Are Not Meant for Human Consumption
There are several clues that indicate dogwood berries did not evolve to be appetizing or nutritious for human consumption:
- Bitter, sour taste is off-putting for humans
- Lack of natural sugars like fructose that humans crave
- Presence of iridoid glycosides, indigestible for humans
- Small size and low flesh to seed ratio
The berries appear specially designed to attract birds and other wildlife that help disperse the seeds – not to please the human palate.
Exceptions: Cornelian Cherries
There is one exception to the general rule that dogwood berries taste bad. The cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas) produces edible berries that are made into jams, juices, and preserves in some regions.
The cornelian cherry is native to Europe and Western Asia. The fruits are larger and more palatable than North American dogwood species.
However, some people still find the cornelian cherry berries to be mouth-puckeringly tart and astringent when eaten raw. They are often processed into syrups or jellies to reduce the sourness.
Why Do Dogwoods Produce Berries?
If birds find them distasteful, why do dogwood trees make berries at all? The berries serve several ecological purposes for the trees:
- Seed dispersal – Birds eat the fruits and spread the seeds. Even if tasted and rejected, seeds still get moved around.
- Fall and winter nutrition – The berries provide needed fats, proteins, and calories for migratory birds when other foods are scarce.
- Pest protection – Chemicals like tannins and anthocyanins help deter insects from attacking the ripening fruit.
Dogwood trees product berries primarily for the purpose of spreading seeds far and wide, not to feed humans. The bitter, sour taste helps serve that function by deterring over-feeding by birds.
Are Dogwoods Poisonous to Birds?
Despite their unpalatable taste, dogwood berries do not appear to be toxic to birds. Birds have different physiology and can tolerate plant chemicals that may make humans sick.
Observations show that dozens of bird species readily feed on dogwood fruits, including:
- Bluebirds
- Cardinals
- Finches
- Thrushes
- Waxwings
- Woodpeckers
- Turkeys
However, birds do seem to avoid gorging on dogwood berries. They may sample the fruits but usually don’t linger and feed exclusively on them. This may help explain why birds can consume dogwood berries without ill effects.
Other Animals That Eat Dogwood Berries
In addition to birds, other wild animals that eat dogwood berries include:
- Black bears
- Foxes
- Squirrels
- Chipmunks
- Skunks
- Opossums
- Rabbits
- Mice
- Voles
These mammals seem tolerant of the low levels of iridoid glycosides and tannins in dogwood berries. In fact, the berries may provide these animals with medicinal benefits. Iridoid glycosides are natural antimicrobials that fight harmful gut bacteria.
Are Dogwood Berries Edible After Frost?
Dogwood trees retain their fruits into the late fall and winter. During this time, several changes happen to the berries:
- The berries soften and lose some astringency
- Sugars concentrate as water content drops
- Color fades from bright red to a tan or brown
These changes improve palatability for birds. But most human foragers report dogwood berries remain unpleasantly sour and mealy even after frost.
The consensus is that frost does not make dogwood berries much more edible or tasty for people.
How to Tell if a Tree Has Edible Berries
Since not all berries are safe or palatable for humans, here are some tips for determining if unknown berries are edible:
- Identify the plant – Only sample if you’re certain it’s not poisonous
- Watch for wildlife eating – Birds and deer won’t eat toxic berries
- Look for fleshy, plump berries – Avoid hard, dry, or shriveled fruits
- Opt for lighter colors – Dark blackish purple often indicates toxicity
- Do a small taste test – Spit out if very bitter or sour
When in doubt, it’s always safest not to eat unknown berries. Stick to known edible species like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.
Best Uses for Dogwood Berries
While not ideal for human food, dogwood berries still have several uses if harvested:
- Seasonal decorations – Bright red berries and foliage can spruce up fall and winter displays.
- Potpourri – Dried berries release pleasant aromas for natural air freshening.
- Bird and wildlife food – Leave berries on branches through winter for emergency bird food.
- Dyeing and art – Extract anthocyanin pigments to make paints and natural dyes.
The berries also support pollinators like bees and attract beneficial predators when left on the trees.
Risks of Eating Dogwood Berries
While not highly toxic, eating dogwood berries does come with some risks and side effects:
- Mild diarrhea or stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting if eaten in excess
- Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
- Dangerous interactions with certain medications
Children, pregnant women, and people with medical conditions should especially avoid consuming dogwood berries.
When eaten in typical quantities, dogwood berries are unlikely to cause anything worse than temporary gastrointestinal distress. But it’s still best not to eat them.
The Bottom Line
Dogwood berries do not taste very appetizing to most human palates. The general consensus is the berries are quite bitter and sour with an unpleasant, dry texture.
While not extremely toxic, dogwood berries can cause stomach upset if eaten in excess. Heed the plant’s warnings through sourness and stick to enjoying dogwood for its ornamental beauty rather than eating the berries.
If you come across unknown berries, it’s always prudent not to eat them unless you’re 100% certain they are a non-toxic species. When in doubt, leave wild berries alone.
Dogwood trees ultimately produce berries to nourish birds and spread seeds, not to feed humans. The berries are best appreciated on the plant! With their bright pops of red and unique shape, dogwood berries remain one of the most iconic symbols of the fall season.
| Dogwood Species | Berries Edible for Humans? |
|---|---|
| Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) | No – sour, bitter, and mildly toxic |
| Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) | No – sour, bitter, and mildly toxic |
| Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) | No – sour, bitter, and mildly toxic |
| Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) | Yes – often turned into jams and preserves |
Related Questions
Are dogwood berries edible?
Most dogwood species produce berries that are too sour, bitter, and astringent for human consumption. While technically edible in small amounts, dogwood berries are very unpalatable and provide little nutrition.
What animals eat dogwood berries?
Dogwood berries are an important food source for dozens of bird species including turkeys, jays, thrushes, waxwings, woodpeckers, mockingbirds, and robins. Mammals like black bears, foxes, squirrels, and mice also consume dogwood berries.
Are elderberries poisonous?
No, elderberries are not poisonous when fully ripe. Red and black ripe elderberries are safe to eat and enjoyed in pies, jams, juices, and wines. However, unripe green elderberries contain a cynogenic toxin and should not be eaten.
Are crabapples edible?
Yes, crabapples are edible and frequently made into jellies jams, pies, and cider. However, most varieties of crabapples are very sour and astringent. It’s best to cook crabapples and add sugar or blend them with sweeter apple varieties.
