Let the photo tell the story #9
- Setting: Hudson Valley, New York, USA
- Main Character: Wineberry, also known as Wild Raspberry or Japanese Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius)
- Plot: Invasive species? Mid-hike snack? Maybe, both
Ignorance is bliss, I think
A lot is going on in this photo. We are witnessing polyculture at play, and a botanist could identify at least five different species in this picture. But for the sake of staying on topic for this post, I am going to focus on one: the Brambling Wineberry. These plants grow all over the eastern US and parts of Canada. Their juicy berries serve as a snack for woodland creatures, and are edible for us hikers, as well. In fact, it is encouraged to forage these berries due to their invasive status in the USA.
As a kid, I had a friend whose yard was plentiful with wineberry brambles. During the warmer months, she and I would lounge in her yard, snacking on wineberries straight off the bush. I grew to love these bushes, with their sweet berries and red-purple stems. Anytime I encountered them on a trail, I paid them a special visit, helping myself to a quick snack. Yet, my admiration for these plants began to wane as I gained awareness. I now understand the adage, ignorance is bliss. Once I learned about the dangers invasive species pose to the native ecosystem, it was difficult to find awe in the wineberry bush’s presence.
The origins and benefits of the Wineberry
Wineberries are part of the rose family and are native to Asia. In the 1890s, they were introduced to North America as breeding stock for raspberry cultivation and as ornamental plants. What makes these plants so prolific is their hardiness and their mode of propagation. When the tip of the stem touches the ground, it can take root. After that, it can grow and propagate indefinitely. Their dense thickets overcrowd and outcompete the native plants, hence their invasive status. In addition, birds and deer alike enjoy the tasty fruit, thus distributing the seed through their droppings.
Besides being delicious, wineberries are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. In addition, the berries and leaves are utilized in herbal medicine. They can be made into teas to support pregnancy, relieve morning sickness, and alleviate painful periods. Even more so, equestrians seek out their hormone-balancing properties to ease hormone-related mood and behavioral changes in horses. Thus, utilizing this plant benefits not only the native environment but also your health!
Control the spread, become an Invasivore
One way the challenge of invasive species has been addressed is through a technique that predates modern humanity: hunting & gathering. Foraging on invasive species keeps populations in check and confined. In turn, this helps preserve the native ecosystem. The term invasivore was first coined by conservation ecologist Joe Roman. It is a simple alternative to more labor-intensive, expensive, and damaging efforts to control invasive populations. Plus, it shifts the appetite away from native species. This movement has inspired lionfish tournaments in Florida. Some restaurants even feature invasive species on the menu. If you would like to learn more about invasivorism, check out these articles by Scientific American and the National Wildlife Federation. You can also check out the website, Eat the Invaders, run by the founder of the craft himself.
Happy Trails!
