Content
Eating berries collected in the forest allows you to get additional vitamins necessary for the body. A photo and description of the drupe berry will be presented in detail below. Detailed instructions for collecting fruits will allow you to find the ideal place to stock up on them for the whole winter.
What does a stone fruit berry look like?
Encyclopedias give the following description of drupes - a small herbaceous plant about 30 cm high. Shoots can spread 1.5 meters along the ground. The stem of the plant is straight and consists of coarse fibers.
The leaves are trifoliate and covered with small hairs. The leaf petioles are long and rough.Drupe flowers bloom in May or early June - small white inflorescences first appear, which are collected in shields or umbrellas.
The description of stone fruit berries is of greatest interest to consumers. They are relatively large in size compared to other forest berries.
The berry is collected from several grains. Each grain has a large seed inside.
Varieties
The most common type of plant is the common, or stony, stoneweed. Many indigenous peoples also call it rock raspberry. The berries ripen in late July or early August. The color of ripe fruits can vary from bright red to orange. The taste of the berries is most reminiscent of pomegranate seeds.
Another subspecies of the berry is considered to be the princeberry, also known as the northern stone fruit. Distributed in the northern regions. Prefers swamps and wet coniferous forests. The berries are dark red in color, the seed is quite easily separated from the pulp.
There are 2 more types of plants that differ from the most common ones only in small features. Drupe stellata stands out for its unusual bright red large flowers. Hop-leaf drupe, common in the Far East and Siberia, differs from other species by its unusual wrinkled seeds.
Where does the stone fruit grow?
The plant is widespread throughout the world. It can be found both in Central Europe and in Asia and America. It grows in almost all climate zones, except tropical and extremely dry ones. Drupe berries do not grow in climates that are too hot. However, they can often be found in the forest-steppe and steppe zones.
Most often, the berry can be found in coniferous or mixed forests.You should look for drupes near small bushes, as well as in forest clearings and shaded edges. Since stoneweed prefers moist air, it can easily be found in swampy areas.
Where does the stone fruit grow in Russia?
The wild drupe berry grows in all regions of the middle zone and north of the country. The distribution zone of stone fruit in central Russia ends in the southern regions. Kostyanika does not grow in the hot zone of the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, in the Rostov, Volgograd, Astrakhan regions and in Kalmykia. Moreover, it can often be found in the Caucasus mountains, where the climate is ideal for favorable growth. Drupe grass easily takes root throughout the country. There is a lot of it in the Ural region, Siberia and the Far East.
Why is the bramble plant called bramble plant?
The berry received its name for the structural features of the fruit. It is included in the same genus of plants along with raspberries and blackberries. At the same time, the raspberry seeds in each grain are soft and almost unnoticeable when consumed. Kostyanika differs from it in having larger and harder bones.
Each fruit is a collection of grains ranging from 1 to 5; the total number of seeds can reach 5 pieces. When eating, some people separate them from the pulp or simply spit them out. Given their large and noticeable size, the common name for the berry quickly caught on and spread throughout Russia.
Edible drupes or not
In Rus', stone fruit has long been considered one of the most delicious edible berries. The fruits of this plant were eaten exclusively fresh. Due to difficulties with collection and storage, preparing a variety of dishes based on them was not common.But some craftsmen and experts in the secret places where the plant grows managed to prepare a variety of jams and liqueurs.
In addition to the pulp, the seeds of the plant are also eaten. They must be chewed thoroughly, like pomegranate seeds, being careful not to damage the gums. People have also learned to use the leaves of the plant to prepare various infusions. They add an indescribable aroma and subtle flavor note.
What are the benefits of stone fruit?
Like any berry or fruit, stone fruit is a natural source of beneficial elements. Easily soluble sugars from drupes provide incredible benefits without harm to the body. In addition, periodic consumption of berries improves the general physical condition of the body due to the high content of various vitamins.
Modern pharmacology does not consider this berry medicinal, but it has found application in a large number of non-traditional folk recipes used for a variety of ailments. Siberian herbalists believe that an infusion prepared from the fruit acts as an anesthetic for migraines and severe bruises. This drink can be used as a diuretic, diaphoretic and tonic.
When treating various ailments, not only berries are used. The leaves and stems of the plant are widely used. They contain additional biologically active elements and substances that can have anti-inflammatory and tonic effects.
The value and composition of drupes
The fruits of this plant are very rich in a variety of vitamins and beneficial microelements.The highest concentration of vitamin C is about 45 mg, which is about half the daily value of an adult. Other elements include:
- bioflavonoids;
- pectin;
- tocopherol;
- phytoncides.
Microelements include iron, manganese, zinc and copper. The berries also contain a large amount of tannins. As for nutritional value, 100 g of product contains:
- proteins - 0.8 g;
- fats - 0.9 g;
- carbohydrates - 6.25 g;
- calorie content - 40.5 kcal.
Drupes are very useful from the point of view of proper nutrition. Experienced nutritionists advise including it in your diet whenever possible. It saturates the body with important elements and helps strengthen overall physical condition.
Beneficial properties of stone fruit berries
The fruits of the plant are very rich in useful substances, so they are recommended to be consumed during periods of autumn and spring vitamin deficiency. Tannins contained in bone fruit help actively fight diseases of the throat and oral cavity. They effectively cope with stomatitis, pharyngitis and primary manifestations of tonsillitis.
Juice made from berries is an excellent way to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It helps strengthen blood vessels and restores their walls. The juice also allows you to cleanse them of toxins accumulated on the walls and helps remove harmful toxins.
A decoction of berries helps fight scalp diseases. Daily application of this product helps stop the spread of the disease and improve the condition of the skin.The infusion effectively fights fungus and psoriasis, and in combination with specialized medications allows you to achieve a quick victory over the disease. The beneficial properties of stone fruit also have a beneficial effect on hair - it reduces fragility and hair loss.
What are the benefits of drupe leaves?
Crushed leaves of drupe are used by folk healers as a medicine that has a general strengthening effect on the body. This drug also helps fight colds, since the substances contained in the leaves have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.
The healing properties of stone fruit are used for cuts and burns. A paste of leaves applied to damaged areas of the skin helps destroy bacteria and enhances tissue regeneration. The faster you apply such a mixture to the affected tissue, the greater the likelihood of avoiding the appearance of scars and pigmentation in the future. This remedy is also used for inflammation of the joints - it reduces pain.
There is an original folk recipe, with the help of which in Siberia and the Urals the stone fruit is used for fear and stuttering. Local herbalists collect spoiled and fungus-tainted leaves and prepare special infusions from them. Stems covered with brown spots are also used. It is believed that taking such an infusion can minimize the manifestations of various forms of epilepsy.
Drupe leaves are very beneficial for women. A decoction prepared from the shoots helps reduce the amount of bleeding during menstrual cycles and the postpartum period.This remedy also reduces pain in the uterus.
Where and when can you collect stone fruits?
The period of growth and flowering of the plant occurs in the first summer months. Around mid-July, the berry begins to actively bear fruit. This is a moisture-loving plant, so its largest concentrations can be found in dense shaded forests, swampy clearings and shallow ravines.
Active fruiting lasts about 2 months until the end of August or beginning of September. Depending on the regions of growth, the timing of flowering and fruiting may vary. Also, the climate can affect the ripening of fruits - too dry or rainy summers shift the timing of berry picking.
It is recommended to tear off the berries along with the stalk - this will extend the shelf life of the product by several hours. Containers should be small with solid walls, so a glass jar or small saucepan is best for collecting. The berry is perishable and quickly loses its beauty, so its processing time should be as fast as possible.
Distinctive features of the bramble
In regions where a large number of berries can be found during the harvest period, it is quite easy to confuse drupes with related representatives. Judging by the shape of the fruit, it can be mistaken for another representative of the Rubus genus - cloudberry. Cloudberries can be not only orange, but also have reddish shades, so it is important to pay attention to the shape of the leaves and the appearance of the plant itself. Cloudberries have only one fruit, while stone fruits can have several on one branch.
Also, this berry is often confused with its related princess.Here the differences are less significant, but it is still better to separate one berry from another. The stems of the drupe are thinner and taller, and the taste of the berries is more sour. The timing of berry picking may also be an important factor. It is believed that the princely plant begins to bear fruit several weeks earlier.
In the Moscow region and Leningrad region
In central Russia, berry picking begins in mid-July and lasts until the end of August. In the Moscow region and neighboring regions, it is recommended to go to the forest, far from roads and railways, to buy bones. Berries absorb harmful substances, so it is better to collect them in the cleanest possible places. You should look for it on the edges and shaded forest clearings.
In the Leningrad region, summer comes a little later and lasts a little less, so berry picking begins in August. Thanks to its humid climate, the region is famous for its abundance of berries, which grow here in literally every small forest. The most abundant harvests can be obtained from wetlands, which are quite common in the region.
In Siberia and the Urals
The climate of Siberia and the Urals, in contrast to Leningrad and central Russia, is harsher and more changeable. Depending on the time of climatic summer, the period for picking berries can vary quite significantly. If the snow melts early and there is a stable temperature of 20-25 degrees in May, the harvesting date for stone fruit will coincide with the central regions. A long winter can delay the time of berries until mid-August.
Collection is also carried out in mixed and coniferous forests, ravines, edges and clearings. The berries can be found in meadows and among dense bushes. Despite the region being less populated, experts recommend refraining from collecting near roads and large cities.
What can you cook from bones?
The plant is widely used in cooking. Drupe berries can be used to prepare a wide variety of dishes. Traditionally they are used for a variety of workpieces:
- Drone jam incredibly useful, as it allows you to preserve a large amount of vitamins. Eating this product in winter helps you forget about seasonal vitamin deficiency and lack of energy.
- Compotes. Here, stone fruit is most often used in combination with other fruit crops and berries. Due to the acidity of the fruit, making compote from only stone fruits will require a large amount of sugar.
- Juices. Freshly squeezed juice from berries can be stored for quite a long time, providing vitamins on cold days. Drupe juice is considered the most useful type of preservation, as it allows you to preserve all the beneficial properties of a fresh product.
Desserts prepared with the addition of fresh berry juice are very popular. Kissel made from the juice of stone fruit is considered traditional for central Russia. In addition to jelly, you can make delicious jelly by adding a few pitted berries.
In addition to the fruits, the leaves of the plant are also actively used in cooking. The most popular recipe is a tonic decoction made from young shoots of stone fruit. The leaves are also actively used in the preparation of homemade alcoholic drinks - the tinctures made from them are unique.
Interesting facts about boneweed
People call this berry the northern pomegranate. The plant received this name for its similarity to fruit grains. Moreover, both representatives have a fairly dense seed in their grains. They are also very similar in their sweet and sour taste and high content of vitamin C and iron.
Our ancestors knew how to predict the weather by observing the plant. To do this, pay attention to its leaves. If they curled into a tube, a clear sunny day was expected. Widespread leaves promised the imminent onset of rain. Precipitation fell within 20-30 minutes after this phenomenon.
Conclusion
A photo and description of a drupe berry will allow an inexperienced person to distinguish it from a large number of other forest gifts. The beneficial properties of the fruits help fight various diseases and give the body a large supply of strength. If desired, you can prepare a real culinary masterpiece from bones.
