RBM
Senior Member
Quick question for you Robert, I came across some Saw Palmetto Berries scouting for hogs, looked like these were being eaten by the local wildlife. There were lots of em scattered around. I did research and it appears the indians used to eat them, but they say the taste is pretty awful. Have you ever tried them?
Yes but they are pretty nasty to me. Don't mess with the berries unless you can stomach them. The berries would fall into that edible but not so palatable category. Also be careful about picking them because they now have laws in place as folks are getting them for the prostate pharmaceutical industry. The laws are meant to control the collection and sale of the berries. So no berry pilfering. And watch out for rattlers.
Quakers described the flavor of the saw palmetto berries in 1692, “rotten cheese steeped in tobacco juice.”
In a modern day twist the saw palmetto berries have several medical application so this “irksome” weed is a $70 million or more business in Florida. They’ve even had to pass laws to prevent unauthorized saw palmetto berry pilfering. Has a $500 fine. We now know saw palmetto berries have a positive effect on the male reproductive system, though the studies are mixed.
Deane Jordan article below.
http://www.eattheweeds.com/saw-palmetto-saga-3/
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