Raleigh, North Carolina

In season now

• Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)

  Where: Bottomland forests, creek margins, and rich deciduous woods throughout the Piedmont; look for clusters of small trees with large drooping leaves.

  Custard-like fruit ripens to yellow-brown in early September; pick when slightly soft and the stem releases easily. Eat fresh or blend into smoothies—the flavor is tropical, like mango and banana.

  Look-alikes: Unripe pawpaws may be confused with other small fruits, but no toxic look-alike exists; the distinctive large leaves and clustered growth habit are unmistakable.

  Caution: Pawpaw leaves and twigs contain acetogenins; do not eat them. Only the ripe fruit is edible.

• Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

  Where: Scattered throughout Raleigh in mature trees, parks, and woodlots; recognizable by deeply furrowed bark and large compound leaves.

  Green husks fall in September; crack open to extract the hard-shelled nut inside. Cure nuts in a warm, dry place for 2–4 weeks, then crack and pick out the meat for baking or eating raw.

  Look-alikes: Butternut (Juglans cinerea) is similar but rarer in Raleigh; both are edible, though black walnut is more common and has a darker, rounder husk.

  Caution: Walnut hulls stain skin and clothing permanently; wear gloves. Juglone (a chemical in roots and hulls) is toxic to many plants and can irritate skin.

• Muscadine Grape (Vitis rotundifolia)

  Where: Vine-covered trees and fences in open woodlands, field edges, and disturbed areas throughout the Piedmont.

  Dark purple to black berries ripen in late August through September; pick when fully colored and slightly soft. Eat fresh, make jam, or ferment into wine.

  Look-alikes: Fox grape (Vitis labrusca) grows in the region but is less common; both are edible, though muscadine has thicker skins and larger individual berries.

  Caution: Ensure vines are on public land or you have permission; muscadines often grow on private property.

• Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

  Where: Open woodlands, field margins, and disturbed areas throughout the Piedmont; small trees with smooth gray bark and narrow leaves.

  Orange fruit ripens in September–October after frost; pick when soft or allow to fall naturally. Eat fresh or dry for later use; the astringent tannins disappear when fully ripe.

  Look-alikes: No toxic look-alikes; the distinctive small orange fruit and tree form are unique.

  Caution: Unripe fruit is intensely astringent and inedible; wait for full softness or a hard frost.

• Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

  Where: Disturbed areas, field edges, and roadsides; deciduous shrub with narrow silvery leaves and red berries speckled with silver.

  Small red berries ripen in September; tart and slightly sweet with a thin pit. Eat fresh or make into jelly; high in lycopene.

  Look-alikes: Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata) is rare in Raleigh; both are edible. No toxic look-alikes.

  Caution: Autumn olive is invasive in North Carolina; harvesting helps control it and is encouraged on public land.

• Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

  Where: Moist deciduous woodlands and understory throughout the Piedmont; small shrub with aromatic leaves and red berries.

  Bright red berries ripen in September; crush and dry for a peppery spice, or use fresh in tea. Leaves are also aromatic and edible year-round.

  Look-alikes: No toxic look-alikes; the distinctive aromatic leaves and red berries are unique.

  Caution: Harvest leaves and berries sustainably; do not strip entire plants.