Tag: Arbutus menziesii

While the Pacific madrone tree, *Arbutus menziesii*, is prized for its beautiful peeling bark, historically, indigenous communities used it for medicinal purposes rather than as a food source. So, is madrona bark edible, or is its use purely therapeutic?

Pacific Madrone berries serve as a crucial food source for a variety of birds and mammals, including cedar waxwings and raccoons. This fact stands in stark contrast to the persistent myth that asks, "are madrone berries toxic?". The berries are, in fact, edible for humans in moderation, but a high tannin content gives them an unpleasant astringent taste and can cause stomach cramps if too many are eaten.