Contents
The use of berries collected in the forest allows you to get an additional amount of vitamins necessary for the body. A photo and description of the bone berries will be presented in detail below. Detailed instructions for collecting fruits will allow you to find the perfect place to stock up on them for the whole winter.
What does a stone berry look like
Encyclopedias give such a description of the bony tree – a small herbaceous plant about 30 cm high. Shoots can spread 1,5 meters along the ground. The stem of the plant is straight and consists of coarse fibers.
The leaves are trifoliate and covered with small hairs. Leaf petioles are long and rough. Kostyanika blooms in May or early June – first small white inflorescences appear, which are collected in corymbs or umbrellas.
Of greatest interest to consumers is the description of stone fruit berries. They are relatively large compared to other wild berries.
The berry is collected from several grains. Inside each grain there is a large bone.
Varieties
The most common type of plant is the common, or stony, stone. It is also referred to as rock raspberry by many indigenous peoples. Berries ripen in late July or early August. The color of ripe fruits can vary from bright red to orange. The taste of the berries is most reminiscent of pomegranate seeds.
Another subspecies of the berry is considered the princess, she is also the northern bone. Distributed in the northern regions. Prefers swamps and wet coniferous forests. The berries are dark red in color, the stone is quite easily separated from the pulp.
There are 2 more types of plants that differ from the most common only in small features. Bone stellate is distinguished by unusual bright red large flowers. Bone hop-leaved, common in the Far East and Siberia, differs from other species in unusual wrinkled bones.
Where does the bony tree grow
The plant is widespread throughout the world. It can be found both in the Central European strip, and in Asia, and in America. It grows in almost all climatic zones, except for tropical and too arid ones. Stone berries do not grow in very hot climates. However, they can often be found in the forest-steppe and steppe zones.
Most often, the berry can be found in a coniferous or mixed forest. Bone should be looked for near small shrubs, as well as in forest clearings and shaded edges. Since the bramble prefers moist air, it can easily be found in wetlands.
Where does the bone plant grow in Our Country
The wild berry of the stone berry grows in all areas of the middle zone and the north of the country. The zone of distribution of bone in central Our Country ends with the southern regions. Kostyanik does not grow in the hot zone of the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, in the Rostov, Volgograd, Astrakhan Regions and in Kalmykia. At the same time, it can often be found in the mountains of the Caucasus, where the climate is ideal for favorable growth. Kostyanik easily takes root throughout the country. There is a lot of it in the Ural region, in Siberia and the Far East.
Why is a bone marrow called a bone marrow
The berry got its name for the structural features of the fruit. It is included in the same genus of plants along with raspberries and blackberries. At the same time, in raspberries in each grain, the bones are soft and almost invisible when consumed. Bone bone differs from it in larger and harder bones.
Each fruit is a collection of grains in the amount of 1 to 5, the total number of seeds can reach 5 pieces. Some people separate them from the pulp when consumed or simply spit them out. Given their large and tangible size, the common name for the berry quickly took root and spread throughout Our Country.
Edible bramble or not
In Our Country, stone fruit has long been considered one of the most delicious edible berries. The fruits of this plant were eaten exclusively fresh. Due to the difficulties with collection and storage, the preparation of a variety of dishes based on them was not common. But some craftsmen and experts on the secret places where the plant grows managed to prepare a variety of jams and liqueurs.
In addition to the pulp, the bones of the plant are also eaten. They must be chewed thoroughly – like pomegranate seeds, trying not to damage the gums. People also learned to use the leaves of the plant to make various tinctures. They add an indescribable aroma and a subtle flavor note.
What is useful bone
Like any berry or fruit, stone fruit is a natural source of useful elements. Easily soluble bone sugars are an incredible benefit without harm to the body. In addition, the periodic use of berries improves the general physical condition of the body due to the high content of various vitamins.
Modern pharmacology does not consider this berry medicinal, but it has found application in a large number of non-traditional folk recipes used for many ailments. Siberian herbalists believe that the infusion prepared on the fruits acts as an anesthetic for migraines and severe bruises. Such a drink can be used as a diuretic, diaphoretic and tonic.
In the treatment of various ailments, not only berries are used. The leaves and stems of the plant are widely used. They contain additional biologically active elements and substances that can have anti-inflammatory and tonic effects.
The value and composition of stone fruit berries
The fruits of this plant are very rich in a variety of vitamins and useful trace elements. The highest concentration of vitamin C is about 45 mg, which is about half the daily value of an adult. Other elements include:
- bioflavonoids;
- pectin;
- tocopherol;
- volatile production.
Trace elements include iron, manganese, zinc and copper. The berries also contain a large amount of tannins. As for nutritional value, 100 g of the product contains:
- proteins – 0,8 g;
- fats – 0,9 g;
- carbohydrates – 6,25 g;
- calorie content – 40,5 kcal.
Bone is very useful in terms of proper nutrition. Experienced nutritionists advise, if possible, to include it in your diet. It saturates the body with important elements and helps to strengthen the overall physical condition.
Useful properties of bone berries
The fruits of the plant are very rich in useful substances, so they are recommended to be consumed during periods of autumn and spring beriberi. The tannins contained in the bone stone help to actively fight diseases of the throat and oral cavity. They effectively cope with stomatitis, pharyngitis and the primary manifestations of tonsillitis.
Juice made from berries is an excellent way to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It helps to strengthen blood vessels, restores their walls. Also, the juice allows you to clean them from toxins accumulated on the walls, helps to remove harmful toxins.
A decoction of berries helps fight diseases of the scalp. Daily application of such a tool helps to stop the spread of the disease and improve skin condition. The infusion effectively fights fungus and psoriasis, and in combination with specialized medicines, it allows you to achieve a quick victory over the disease. The beneficial properties of bone berries also have a beneficial effect on hair – it reduces their fragility and reduces hair loss.
What are the benefits of bone marrow leaves
The crushed leaves of the stone fruit are used by folk healers as a medicine that has a general strengthening effect on the body. Such a drug also helps fight colds, since the substances contained in the leaves have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.
The healing properties of the bone are used for cuts and burns. Leaf paste applied to damaged areas of the skin promotes the destruction of bacteria and enhances tissue regeneration. The faster such a slurry is applied to the affected tissue, the more likely it is to avoid the appearance of scars and pigmentation in the future. This remedy is also used for inflammation of the joints – it reduces pain.
There is an original folk recipe, with the help of which in Siberia and the Urals, bone berry is used against fright and stuttering. Local herbalists collect spoiled and fungus-damaged leaves and prepare special infusions from them. Also in the course are stems covered with brown spots. It is believed that taking such an infusion can minimize the manifestations of various forms of epilepsy.
Bone leaves are very useful for women. A decoction prepared from shoots helps to reduce the amount of bleeding during menstrual cycles and in the postpartum period. This remedy also reduces pain in the uterus.
Where and when can you collect bones
The period of growth and flowering of the plant occurs in the first summer months. From about mid-July, the berry begins to actively bear fruit. This is a moisture-loving plant, so its largest concentrations can be found in dense shaded forests, swampy clearings and shallow ravines.
Active fruiting lasts about 2 months until the end of August or the beginning of September. Depending on the regions of growth, the timing of flowering and fruiting may vary. Also, the climate can affect the ripening of fruits – too dry or rainy summer shifts the timing of picking berries.
Berries are recommended to be torn off along with the stalk – this will extend the shelf life of the product by several hours. The containers should be small with solid walls, so a glass jar or small saucepan is best for collecting. The berry is perishable and quickly loses its beauty, so the period of its processing should be as fast as possible.
Distinctive features of bone
In regions where a large number of berries can be found during the harvest period, it is quite easy to confuse the stone fruit with related representatives. According to the shape of the fruit, it can be mistaken for another representative of the rubus genus – cloudberries. Cloudberries can be not only orange, but also have reddish hues, so it is important to pay attention to the shape of the leaves and the appearance of the plant itself. The cloudberry has only one fruit, while the stone fruit can have several on the same branch.
Also, this berry is often confused with the princess related to it. Here the differences are less significant, but it is still better to separate one berry from another. The stems of the stone fruit are thinner and taller, and the taste of the berries is more sour. Also, the time of picking berries can be an important factor. It is believed that the princess begins to bear fruit a few weeks earlier.
In the Moscow region and the Leningrad region
In central Our Country, berry picking begins in mid-July and lasts until the end of August. In the Moscow region and neighboring regions, it is recommended to go to the forest, remote from roads and railways, for ivory. Berries absorb harmful substances, so it is better to collect them in the cleanest places. You should look for it on the edges and shaded forest clearings.
In the Leningrad region, summer comes a little later and lasts a little less, so berry picking begins in August. Due to the humid climate, the region is famous for the abundance of berries that grow here literally in every small forest. The most abundant crops can be obtained from wetlands, which are quite common in the region.
In Siberia and the Urals
The climate of Siberia and the Urals, unlike Leningrad and central Our Country, is more harsh and changeable. Depending on the time of the onset of climatic summer, the time for picking berries can vary quite significantly. If the snow melts early and in May there is a stable temperature of 20-25 degrees, the time for harvesting the stone bones will coincide in time with the central regions. A long winter can delay the time of berries until mid-August.
Collection is also carried out in mixed and coniferous forests, ravines, edges and clearings. Berries can also be found in meadows and among dense shrubs. Despite the region’s lesser habitation, experts recommend refraining from gathering near highways and large cities.
What can be prepared from bones
The plant is widely used in cooking. Bone berries can be used to prepare a wide range of dishes. Traditionally, they are used for a variety of blanks:
- Bone jam incredibly useful, as it allows you to save a large amount of vitamins. The use of such a product in winter helps to forget about seasonal beriberi and lack of energy.
- Compotes. Here, the stone fruit is most often used in combination with other fruit crops and berries. Due to the acidity of the fruits, making compote only from the fruits of the stone berries will require a large amount of sugar.
- Juices. Freshly squeezed juice from berries can be stored for quite a long time, delighting with vitamins on cold days. Bone juice is considered the most useful type of preservation, as it allows you to save all the useful properties of a fresh product.
Desserts prepared with the addition of fresh berry juice are very popular. Kissel made from bone marrow juice is considered traditional for central Our Country. In addition to jelly, you can make delicious jelly by adding a few pitted berries.
In addition to fruits, the leaves of the plant are also actively used in cooking. The most popular recipe is a tonic decoction made from young shoots of stone berries. The leaves are also actively used in the preparation of homemade alcoholic beverages – tinctures on them are unique.
Interesting Bone Facts
In the people, this berry is called northern pomegranate. The plant received such a name for its similarity with fruit grains. At the same time, both representatives of the grains contain a rather dense bone. They are also very similar in sweet and sour taste and high content of vitamin C, iron.
Our ancestors were able to predict the weather by observing the plant. For this, they paid attention to its leaves. If they were rolled into a tube, a clear sunny day was expected. Leaves wide spread promised an early start of rain. Precipitation fell within 20-30 minutes after this event.
Conclusion
A photo and description of a drupe berry will allow an inexperienced person to distinguish it from a large number of other forest gifts. The beneficial properties of fruits help fight various diseases and give the body a large supply of strength. If desired, a real culinary masterpiece can be prepared from the bones.
