Berries of the Carpathians

Berries of the Carpathians: bilberry, lingonberry, raspberry, wild strawberry — when to pick them — and poisonous look-alikes: herb Paris, mezereon, deadly nightshade.

EdibleBilberryVaccinium myrtillusThe main berry of the Carpathians: a low bush with blue-black berries that stain fingers. Ripe from July to August, in the polonynas until September.

EdibleLingonberryVaccinium vitis-idaeaAn evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and tart red berries. It grows in spruce forests and on polonynas, ripening in August–September.

Deadly poisonousRed Data Book of UkraineDeadly nightshadeAtropa belladonnaTall grass of beech forests with shiny black berries in a star-shaped calyx. Deadly poisonous; listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

EdibleWild strawberryFragaria vescaSmall fragrant berries in clearings and forest edges. Wild strawberries bloom in May and ripen in June - July; in the mountains, a little later.

EdibleRaspberryRubus idaeusWild Raspberry of clearings and edges: small aromatic berries that easily detach from the receptacle. It ripens in July–August, in the mountains until September.

PoisonousMezereonDaphne mezereumA shrub that blooms with fragrant pink flowers on bare branches in early spring. The red berries are highly toxic, as are the bark and branches.

PoisonousHerb ParisParis quadrifoliaA shady forest plant with four leaves and one blue-black berry at the top. Poisonous, especially dangerous for children.

EdibleBog bilberryVaccinium uliginosumHigher than blueberry, a bush with grayish leaves and blue berries with light flesh. Grows in high mountains and wetlands, ripens in August.

Edible only after cookingRowanSorbus aucupariaA tree with orange-red clusters that grows up to the upper forest limit. The berries are conditionally edible: they are collected after frost and cooked.

Edible only after cookingElderSambucus nigraA bush near villages and at forest edges with white fragrant inflorescences and black berries. The berries are conditionally edible — only ripe and after heat treatment.