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Season
Fall · frost in ~114 d
Foraging around Tampa
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyForaging in Tampa: Early Fall Wild Edibles
In season now
Sea Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum)
Where: Salt marshes, mangrove edges, coastal berms around Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay.
Fleshy, succulent leaves and stems; reddish tinge when mature. Harvest young stems and leaves; eat raw in salads or cooked like spinach.
Look-alikes: Glasswort (Salicornia) is edible too but more rigid and jointed; sea purslane is softer and more sprawling.
Caution: Verify location is public access; many coastal areas are private or protected.
Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco)
Where: Scrublands, hammocks, and disturbed areas throughout Hillsborough County.
Small dark purple or black drupes, 1–1.5 cm, with thin flesh. Eat fresh or make jam; sweet when fully ripe.
Look-alikes: No dangerous look-alikes; native cherry species fruit earlier in summer.
Caution: Confirm public access; many cocoplum patches are on private land or in protected natural areas.
Gregg's Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)
Where: Moist hammocks, disturbed areas, and field margins in central Hillsborough County.
Leaves are aromatic, opposite, and slightly fuzzy; small lavender-blue flowers in late summer. Harvest young leaves for tea.
Look-alikes: Ageratum (also called mistflower) is similar but introduced; Gregg's is native and more robust.
Caution: Do not confuse with toxic plants; positive ID required before use.
Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Where: Wetland margins, pocosins, and disturbed moist areas throughout the region.
Small blue-gray berries coated in waxy bloom; harvest in fall. Simmer berries to extract wax for candles or use leaves for aromatic tea.
Look-alikes: Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) does not occur in Florida; no dangerous confusion.
Caution: Wear gloves when harvesting; wax coating can irritate skin in sensitive individuals.
Mulberry (Morus rubra, native red mulberry)
Where: Disturbed areas, field edges, and light woodlands throughout Hillsborough County.
Dark purple-black aggregate berries, 1.5–2 cm long, ripen through summer into early fall. Eat fresh or dry; sweet and mild.
Look-alikes: White mulberry (Morus alba, invasive) has lighter berries; both are edible but red mulberry is preferred.
Caution: Confirm public access; many mulberry patches are on private property.
Blueberry (Vaccinium species, native)
Where: Scrublands, sandhills, and disturbed sandy areas in central and eastern Hillsborough County.
Small blue berries, 0.5–1 cm, ripen through late summer and early fall. Eat fresh or preserve; tart to sweet depending on species.
Look-alikes: No dangerous look-alikes; pokeweed berries are similar but grow in clusters and are toxic.
Caution: Verify public access; many scrubland patches are on private conservation land.
Coming soon
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana, native)
Orange-yellow fruit, 2.5–5 cm, ripens October–November after frost. Eat fresh when fully soft or use in baking.
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
Custard-like fruit, 7–13 cm, ripens September–October. Eat fresh; creamy, tropical flavor.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Dark blue-black berries ripen October–November. Traditionally used for tea; bitter and astringent.
Safety in this area
- Ticks are abundant in Florida scrublands and hammocks year-round; check skin and clothing after foraging, especially in warm, moist areas.
- Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) grows in disturbed areas and field margins; three leaflets, glossy or dull, red in spring/fall. Avoid contact and wash thoroughly if exposed.
- Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) occurs in moist disturbed areas; wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting nearby plants.
- Always verify public access before foraging; much of Hillsborough County is private land, conservation easements, or protected natural areas. Trespass laws are enforced.
Foraging information is educational. Confirm every identification with a regional field guide or expert before eating anything wild.
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