12 NORTH AMERICAN WILD BERRIES FOUND ABOVE 48°N
Wild Berries native to North America and where to find them.
Wild berries are a delicious and nutritious treat that can be found in abundance throughout North America north of 48 degrees latitude. These berries grow wild in open fields, forests, and along roadsides, and offer a tasty and healthy snack for those who are adventurous enough to find and harvest them. In this article, we will name and describe 12 edible wild berries found in North America, and provide tips on where, when, and how to find them.
Wild Blueberries
Wild blueberries grow in acidic soil in open woods, fields, and rocky areas. They can be found from late July to mid-August in northern regions. Look for low-growing shrubs that produce small, dark blue berries.
Photo: Eric Prouze @eprouzet
Blackberries
Blackberries grow in open fields, along fences, and in abandoned lots. They can be picked from mid-July to mid-August. Look for thorny bushes that produce clusters of juicy black berries.
Photo: Elizabeth George @lziize
Raspberries
Raspberries grow in open woods, fields, and along roadsides. They can be picked from late June to early August. Look for thorny or prickly bushes that produce clusters of bright red berries.
Photo: Georg Bommeli @calina
Strawberries
Strawberries grow in fields, meadows, and along roadsides. They can be picked from late May to early June. Look for low-growing plants with white flowers that produce small, bright red berries.
Photo: Erik Karits @erik_karits
Huckleberries
Huckleberries grow in moist, acidic soil in forests and meadows. They can be picked from late June to early August. Look for low-growing shrubs that produce small, dark purple berries.
Photo: Sarah Peters @sjoy88
Elderberries
Elderberries grow in damp or moist areas along streams, rivers, and other bodies of water. They can be picked from mid-August to early September. Look for tall shrubs with clusters of small, dark purple berries.
Photo: Maddy Weiss @maddy_moon
Cranberries
Cranberries grow in bogs and marshes. They can be picked from mid-September to mid-October. Look for low-growing shrubs with bright red berries.
Photo: Malin K. @meotive
Gooseberries
Gooseberries grow in open woods and along roadsides. They can be picked from late June to early July. Look for spiny shrubs that produce green or yellow berries.
Photo: Victor Serban @victorserban
Serviceberries
Serviceberries, also known as Saskatoon berries or June berries, grow in open woods and fields. They can be picked from late May to early June. Look for small trees or shrubs that produce small, red or purple berries.
Chokeberries
Chokeberries grow in wetlands and along streams. They can be picked from late August to early September. Look for tall shrubs with clusters of dark red or black berries.
Photo: K8 @_k8_
Thimbleberries
Thimbleberries grow in moist woods and along stream banks. They can be picked from mid-July to mid-August. Look for large, low-growing shrubs that produce large, red berries.
Photo: Markus Spiske @markusspiske
Black Currants
Black currants grow in moist woods and along stream banks. They can be picked from late July to early August. Look for small shrubs with clusters of dark purple berries.
Photo: Bermix Studio @bermixstudio
Conclusion
When harvesting wild berries, it's important to remember to only pick what you need, leaving some for the wildlife and for future harvests. Always be sure to properly identify the berries before consuming them, as some wild berries can be toxic. With a little knowledge and a bit of adventurous spirit, harvesting wild berries can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Northern Survivalist