The Verdict: Can you eat buttonwood berries?
Despite their tempting appearance, the simple answer is no, you cannot eat buttonwood berries. The fruit of the buttonwood tree, Conocarpus erectus, is officially classified as non-edible for humans. While they are not classified as acutely poisonous like some other toxic plants, consuming them can lead to unpleasant gastrointestinal distress. The tree's primary value is ornamental and ecological, not culinary.
What Exactly are Buttonwood Berries?
In a technical sense, the fruits produced by the buttonwood tree aren't true berries at all. They are actually small, scaly, cone-like seed clusters that grow in dense, spherical heads, giving the tree its common name. When they mature, these reddish-brown clusters burst open to disperse their two-winged seeds, which are typically carried away by water. There are two main varieties of buttonwood: the green buttonwood and the more popular silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus), which is distinguished by the silvery hairs on its leaves.
Why Buttonwood Berries Are Not for Human Consumption
Beyond simply being inedible, there are several reasons to avoid consuming buttonwood fruit. The tree's botanical and ecological roles don't align with providing human food.
- Lack of Nutritional Value: Unlike true fruit-bearing plants, buttonwood berries offer no nutritional benefits for humans. They are mostly made up of hard, woody seed pods and fibrous material.
- Gastrointestinal Irritants: Although not considered highly toxic to humans, consuming these non-edible fruits can cause stomach upset, gas, and digestive discomfort.
- Beneficial to Wildlife: The fruits are primarily for wildlife. Birds, crabs, and other coastal species consume the berries and play a key role in seed dispersal. Foraging the fruit removes a food source for these animals.
Buttonwood vs. Look-Alikes: Avoid Dangerous Mix-ups
Misidentification is a serious risk when foraging. Several plants that grow in similar coastal environments or are used in landscaping produce fruit that could be confused with buttonwood, but with differing levels of edibility.
- Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides): This plant, also found in coastal Florida, produces small, purplish-black berries that are technically edible but highly acidic and often considered unpleasant by humans. The leaves of marlberry are typically larger and darker than buttonwood.
- Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa): Often used in landscaping, Kousa dogwood produces edible, reddish, and spiky-looking berries that have a soft, tropical-like inner flesh. However, the non-edible berries of the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) are easily mistaken for the Kousa variety, and can cause stomach upset.
Identifying the Buttonwood Tree (Conocarpus erectus)
To prevent misidentification, it is crucial to recognize the key features of the buttonwood tree:
- Leaf Arrangement: The simple, oblong leaves grow alternately on the stem, unlike some other plants that have opposite leaf arrangements.
- Salt Glands: At the base of each leaf, you can find two distinct, dot-like glands that excrete excess salt, a common feature in salt-tolerant plants.
- Fruit Clusters: The most identifiable feature is the cluster of small, button-like, reddish-brown fruits that look like miniature cones.
- Habitat: Buttonwood trees are typically found growing along shorelines, tidal lagoons, and coastal uplands in tropical and subtropical regions.
- Appearance: The bark is grey to brown and scaly, and the tree may have a multi-trunked, bushy appearance or grow into a larger tree.
Potential Dangers: Pets and Toxicity
While the berries aren't a serious threat to humans, they can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large quantities. The toxic component is a compound called saponin, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and in severe cases, dehydration. If you have buttonwood on your property, it's wise to supervise pets to prevent them from eating the fallen fruits.
Culinary Confusion: The Buttonwood's True Uses
Rather than being a food source, the buttonwood tree is valued for its hard wood and its role in ecosystem maintenance. Its wood is dense and durable, making excellent firewood, high-quality charcoal, and even cabinetry. The bark is also high in tannins, which have been commercially harvested for centuries. An old fisherman's tale even mentions a tea from the leaves as a remedy for fish poisoning, but this is not a medically endorsed use.
Comparison of Buttonwood Fruit and Common Edible Berries
| Feature | Buttonwood Fruit | Raspberry/Blackberry (Edible) | Kousa Dogwood Berry (Edible) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edibility for Humans | Not Edible | Edible | Edible |
| Appearance | Small, woody, cone-like cluster of seeds | Fleshy, aggregate fruit | Red, spiky exterior with soft pulp |
| Flavor/Texture | Insipid, woody, no flesh | Sweet or tart, juicy | Sweet, custard-like, mango flavor |
| Seed | Small, winged seeds inside a cone | Small, hard seeds dispersed throughout | Large, singular seed inside |
| Primary Use | Ornamental, firewood, charcoal | Food, jams, pies, foraging | Food, sauces, jams, foraging |
Conclusion: Prioritize Safety Over Curiosity
In conclusion, while the buttonwood tree is a fascinating and valuable coastal plant, its berries are not intended for human consumption. Foraging requires absolute certainty of identification, and in the case of buttonwood, the potential for gastrointestinal upset and the lack of any culinary benefit make its fruit an unwise choice for eating. To ensure your safety and the health of your pets, it is best to leave buttonwood berries for the wildlife that relies on them and admire this resilient plant for its many other uses. You can learn more about this and other coastal flora from resources like the University of Florida's IFAS Extension.
