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Fall
Foraging around Orlando
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyFall Foraging in Orlando: September's Wild Edibles
In season now
Saw Palmetto Berries
Where: Scrubby flatwoods, pine stands, and disturbed sandy areas throughout Orange and Seminole counties.
Dark blue-black berries cluster on low palmettos; harvest when fully dark (late Sept–Oct). Berries are tart; traditionally dried and brewed as tea or used medicinally.
Look-alikes: Coontie berries are similar but smaller and orange-red; coontie is protected and toxic raw, so avoid.
Caution: Wear long sleeves and gloves—saw palmetto fronds are razor-sharp.
Groundnut (Apios americana)
Where: Moist ditches, swamp margins, and wetland edges near the St. Johns River basin and local retention ponds.
Dig tubers (marble to walnut-sized) from late September onward; taste like potato-chestnut hybrids. Boil or roast; also edible raw but starchy.
Look-alikes: Difficult to confuse underground, but above-ground vines resemble poison ivy—check for three leaflets (groundnut has 5–9 leaflets per leaf).
Caution: Obtain permission before digging on private land; many retention ponds are on residential property.
Maypops (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa)
Where: Fencerows, disturbed edges, and open scrub throughout central Florida.
Yellow egg-shaped fruits ripen September–October; scoop out sweet, seedy pulp and eat raw or strain for juice. Vines are vigorous and often weedy.
Look-alikes: Purple passionflower (Passiflora edulis) also grows here; both are edible, but yellow maypops are more common and sweeter.
Caution: Leaves and unripe fruit contain cyanogenic compounds; eat only ripe fruit.
Dewberries (Rubus trivialis)
Where: Disturbed sandy areas, roadsides, and open flatwoods; common in Orange County.
Black berries ripen August–September; similar to blackberries but smaller and earlier. Eat fresh or cook into jam.
Look-alikes: Blackberries are larger and later; both are edible, so confusion is harmless.
Caution: Thorny canes; wear heavy gloves and long sleeves.
Gregg's Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)
Where: Moist disturbed areas, ditches, and margins of swamps and lakes.
Tiny blue-purple flowers bloom August–October; leaves are aromatic and slightly bitter. Dry for tea or use fresh as a garnish; very mild flavor.
Look-alikes: Blue boneset (Eupatorium coelestinum) is similar but taller and has larger flower clusters; both are safe.
Caution: Ensure positive ID before harvesting; some Eupatorium species can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Peppervine (Ampelopsis arborea)
Where: Scrubby areas, fencerows, and disturbed sandy soils; vines climb trees and shrubs.
Small dark berries ripen September–October; tart and peppery. Eat sparingly as a trail snack or dry for seasoning.
Look-alikes: Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) has similar berries but is toxic; peppervine has 3 leaflets per leaf, Virginia creeper has 5.
Caution: Virginia creeper is present in Florida; always verify leaf count before eating any wild grape-family berries.
Coming soon
Persimmons (Diospyros virginiana)
Native persimmons ripen October–November in open woodlands and disturbed areas. Eat only fully soft fruit (astringent when firm); sweet and custard-like when ripe.
Caution: Large seeds; spit them out.
Acorns (Quercus spp.)
White oak acorns (lower tannin) fall October–November and can be leached and ground into flour. Red oak acorns are higher in tannin and require longer processing.
Caution: Leaching is labor-intensive; start with white oak species for best results.
Wax Myrtle Berries (Morella cerifera)
Waxy gray berries ripen October–November on evergreen shrubs in scrubby areas. Boil to extract wax for candles; berries themselves are not palatable.
Caution: Harvest sustainably; wax myrtle is important for wildlife.
Safety in this area
- Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is common in scrubby areas and disturbed sites; three leaflets, glossy or dull, often reddish in fall. Wash skin and tools immediately after foraging.
- Ticks (especially lone star ticks) are active year-round in Florida; wear long sleeves and pants, tuck pants into socks, and check your body thoroughly after foraging in scrub or wetland margins.
- Alligators inhabit retention ponds, lakes, and ditches throughout Orlando; never forage alone near water, and stay well back from the shoreline.
- Private land access: most retention ponds and scrubby areas are privately owned or part of HOA property. Always ask permission before digging or harvesting.
Foraging information is educational. Confirm every identification with a regional field guide or expert before eating anything wild.
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