Can You Eat Red Elderberry?

The red elderberry is a small tree or large shrub that grows in most of the continental United States and produces red berries that can be eaten in certain situations. Does this Spark an idea?

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Identification
- The red elderberry can grow 10-20 feet high and produces small white flowers in the early spring that change into red berries.
Function
- People use red elderberry berries to make wines and jellies.
Warning
- All parts of the plant, especially the leaves, stems, bark and root, contain potentially deadly cyanide-like toxins. Berries must be cooked before they are consumed.
Fun Fact
- Red elderberries have been used in folk medicine to treat maladies such as constipation. Once again, the berries were cooked and sweetened before eating.
Misconceptions
- Toxins are also present in the berry, but concentrations are much lower there compared with the other parts of the plant.

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