The 5 Most Dangerous Fruits in the Minnesota

Minnesota is famed for its enchanting lakes, forests, and wildlife, yet not all of its natural treasures are safe for consumption. Some fruits that thrive in the state pose serious health risks to both humans and animals. Here, we highlight five of Minnesota’s most perilous fruits and explain why steering clear of them is advisable.

Elderberry

Elderberry, a shrub with clusters of small, dark purple berries, is commonly found in moist areas like roadsides, ditches, streams, and fields. While the fruit can be used for jelly, pies, and wine, most parts of the plant are poisonous due to a cyanide-inducing glycoside in the roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. Ingesting the poison can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, coma, or death. If unsure about identifying and processing elderberry safely, it’s best to avoid it altogether.

Wild Plum

Wild plum, a shrub or small tree found in thickets, along roadsides, pastures, riverbanks, and old farmsteads, produces round, red, or yellow fruits. Though the fruit is suitable for sauce, pies, jelly, and preserves, the seeds, leaves, and bark contain amygdalin, releasing cyanide when consumed in large amounts. Symptoms of poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and potentially death.

Wild Grape

Wild grape, a vine climbing high into trees, is found in woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. While the round, purple, sour fruit can be enjoyed raw or processed into juice, jelly, or wine, caution is needed as the leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, irritating the skin and mucous membranes. Unripe fruit and seeds contain tannins, leading to kidney damage if consumed excessively. Harvesting and preparing wild grapes must be done carefully and in moderation.

Juneberry

Juneberry, also known as serviceberry or saskatoon, grows in the edges of woods, moist ravines, and valleys. With white blossoms and purplish-black fruits resembling blueberries, the fruit is suitable for jam, jelly, sauce, and beverages. However, juneberry seeds contain sambunigrin, releasing cyanide when chewed or digested. Consuming large amounts can lead to cyanide poisoning, resulting in drowsiness, confusion, seizures, coma, or death.

Highbush Cranberry

Despite its name, highbush cranberry is not a true cranberry but a shrub found in cool woods, thickets, and swampy areas. Its round to oblong, yellow to dark red berries contain viburnine, a chemical causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if eaten raw or excessively. Cooking the fruit reduces toxicity, but cautious consumption is still advised.

Conclusion

While Minnesota’s wild and edible fruits offer diverse flavors and benefits, they also harbor hidden dangers. Some fruits contain toxins that can be harmful or fatal if consumed improperly. Identifying, harvesting, and preparing these fruits safely is essential. When in doubt, it’s better to avoid them altogether and stick to store-bought fruits.