This article is a continuation of last week's article about finding fruit (for free) in the city. Once I began finding fruit in the city, I started seeing it everywhere -- parks, parking lots, along running trails, and behind retail stores. Before picking any fruit, readers may want to read what the Iowa State University Extension office said about Iowa vines and shrubs. The publication has very nice sketches to help with identifying plants. Field guides from the local library and various smart phone apps are also helpful.
Elderflowers. This plant is native to Iowa, and Prairieland Herbs in Woodward has a list of several recipes for elderflowers (type the word ‘elderflower’ in the search box). These usually bloom mid-June. Keep in mind that picking flowers will eliminate the elderberries that would come from them in the fall.
Gooseberries. These prickly bushes have big green berries that darken to purple. People use gooseberries for jellies and pies, but because I find them (frequently) as single bushes in wooded areas, rather than a hedge or border at a groomed park with playground equipment, I would say that harvested wild gooseberries in Iowa would yield a small amount. Gooseberries may have to be used in combination with another fruit that ripens at the same time.
Currants. These ripen about the same time as gooseberries, but no prickles. Use them like grapes. Parklands that are former farmlands are good places to look.
Raspberries. Often seen in parks, it helps to identify the plant before the fruits emerge. Quite a few city parks have hedges of raspberries (or their relative, the blackberry and the black raspberry). August is a good time to look for this fruit.
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