Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Saturday - September 06, 2014
From: Lockhart, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Edible Plants, Shrubs
Title: Red berries growing along county road in Caldwell County, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hello, first I would like to thank you for your time. I thank it's great that you guys and girls answer questions (I'm sure y'all are busy). That being said I will get to the question. On the sides of our gravel county roads down here in Lockhart in Caldwell County there are bushes that have little red berries. Now my grandmother used to collect them and make a jam with them, at least I think that they are the same bush/briar that she used to get them. From this summer while walking down the road with my kids collecting what we call dewberries. I tried one but did not swallow it. It tasted sweet, slightly tart with no bitterness at all. I could provide pictures if need be, just trying to Id this native plant and also see if it is indeed edible thanks ..p.s. I did look in archives and found nothing on this. Also, just so you know, I always tell the kids never to eat an unknown plant or berry. Thanks again.ANSWER:
From your description this sounds like it could be Mahonia trifoliolata (Agarita). My mother made jelly from them and it was delicious and the berries themselves are quite tasty on their own. When they are very ripe they are sweet with a little tartness. It is a bit of a challenge to pick them, however, because of their very prickly, holly-like leaves. Here are instructions from WildEdibleTexas on how to harvest the berries and make jelly from them. Hammer on Rye also has instructions on harvesting and making jelly from the Agarita berries.
We have a plant list for Lockhart State Park Nature Trail Native Plant Species on our Special Collections page that shows Agarita occurring there. There are also 48 other species listed for you to look through just in case this isn't the plant your mother used to make jelly.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Native plants both deer resistant and good for erosion from North Oaks MN
August 23, 2012 - We have several partially sunny areas on hills that are prone to both deer and erosion. Our goal is to reduce runoff in an effort to preserve the watershed that provides tap water to many citizens of ...
view the full question and answer
Can lantana be grown in British Columbia from Vernon BC
October 20, 2012 - Can I grow lantana in Vernon B.C. Canada?
view the full question and answer
Plant Suggestions for a Partly Sunny Steep Bank in Illinois
November 09, 2013 - I am looking to plant something on a steep clay bank on our Illinois property. It is on the edge of our dirt road with trees above the bank and is partly sunny. What would work best for that type of a...
view the full question and answer
Need plants for privacy screen and noise reduction in Dallas.
January 07, 2015 - Our backyard is on the north side of our house and is adjacent to the south side of LBJ Freeway (I-635) in Dallas. TXDOT only constructed an 8' concrete wall along our portion of its expanded right-o...
view the full question and answer
Native tree or shrub with fruit to espalier on fence
July 23, 2010 - I live in the Austin, TX area and I would like to choose a native tree or shrub to espalier on a fence in my garden. Ideally, I would like to use a tree that bears fruit. Any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |