August 23, 2013
Fresh Pond Fruit
Every year toward the end of the summer, Fresh Pond Reservation abounds with fruit, berries and seeds. Much of this bounty will provide food for birds and resident small mammals through the winter. In addition to the fruit of several species of Dogwoods and Viburnums there are many others.
Shown here, left to right, top row, are the edible fruit of the native Virginia Rose (Rosa Carolina), Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Black Gum a.k.a. Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) and Elder (Sambucus Canadensis).
On the second row are non-native species: Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), a honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) and Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus). The fruit of these introduced species tend to be very abundant but less nutritious than the natives. Birds spread the seeds far and wide as they fly from one place to another.