Oh my dear! Such a time for you! After you "sent" me on that search (was it only yesterday?), probably on GreenMedInfo--I saw a remark concerning the high purple-ness of elderberries, as indicator of high anthocyanin content, but their slightly bitter taste, as indicator of a hint of poison. I had understood from years back that females …
Oh my dear! Such a time for you! After you "sent" me on that search (was it only yesterday?), probably on GreenMedInfo--I saw a remark concerning the high purple-ness of elderberries, as indicator of high anthocyanin content, but their slightly bitter taste, as indicator of a hint of poison. I had understood from years back that females tend to dislike 'bitter'; while males appreciate it (think of hops in ale), and that this would make sense, in an evolutionary strategy, to keep females away from potential teratogens. So, I began to wonder about pokeweed--phytolacca americana, and an invasive plant where I live, which has extremely purple berries, but is "known to be poisonous", except that tradition says that folks do eat the boiled greens, and make pie from the berries. I have never dared to try a berry (but will this summer, should any show up), so cannot attest to any bitter content.
Oh my dear! Such a time for you! After you "sent" me on that search (was it only yesterday?), probably on GreenMedInfo--I saw a remark concerning the high purple-ness of elderberries, as indicator of high anthocyanin content, but their slightly bitter taste, as indicator of a hint of poison. I had understood from years back that females tend to dislike 'bitter'; while males appreciate it (think of hops in ale), and that this would make sense, in an evolutionary strategy, to keep females away from potential teratogens. So, I began to wonder about pokeweed--phytolacca americana, and an invasive plant where I live, which has extremely purple berries, but is "known to be poisonous", except that tradition says that folks do eat the boiled greens, and make pie from the berries. I have never dared to try a berry (but will this summer, should any show up), so cannot attest to any bitter content.