Mosquito Repellant Native Plant // More Powerful Than DEET (Edible Berries Too) American Beautyberry
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- Опубликовано: 29 окт 2024
- Jams, Jellies... & Mosquito Repellant? From the same plant? Yes, we’re talking about NATIVE BEAUTYBERRY.
Beauty Berry (Callicarpa americana) is an edible Florida native plant found all over untouched natural areas in Florida. The berries are edible but don’t have much flavor due to the lack of sugars (Chickens do love them). Yesterday I was so excited, I thought I discovered one that was much sweeter and tasted amazing! Only to my own disappointment, I remembered eating a Miracle Fruit about 20 minutes earlier. 🤔
These sure do look like nature’s candy of the woods!
What’s most interesting about this plant is the leaves contain a terpenoid compound called callicarpenal and intermedeol. These compounds are stronger than DEET as natural bug spray. Pretty cool, right?
Beautyberry, or Callicarpa americana, is a gorgeous Florida Native that is entirely worthy of its name when the berries ripen in early fall (zones 7-11). Not only does it add beautiful color to the landscape, but it also somewhat useful. It has long been used to make a brightly colored jam or jelly, because of it's natural pectin content, but the chemical compounds (callicarpenal and intermedeol) contained in its leaves have lately been proving to be even more effective than DEET when processed adequately through a distillation process.
If you would like to learn more about Beautyberry:
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He neglected to say that the roots of this plant can be boiled and made into a tea for people with leg swelling or any sort of swelling will be gone if you make the tea and drink it. And the berries grow in white, red, purple, and blueish colors. All of the berries are basically flavorless some have a slight lavender flavor and scent. The long branches are also good for making cordage out of the bark if it's peeled off and braided into rope before it dries. Great plant for survival
As many others in the comments have stated, the most common edible use for beautyberries is as a jelly or jam. However, I am a little on the busy side to make jelly, so I just eat the berries raw, foraged off the bush. I have found the key with them is to allow them to become as plump and ripe as possible, then pick and eat them immediately (they have no shelf life) for the best flavor, a flavor that I would describe as herbal, not sweet, and unique; I have never tasted another fruit like beautyberry. Fruits that are not at optimum ripeness tend to have less flavor and a bit of astringency.
As for beautyberry's mosquito repelling properties, as you stated, simply rubbing leaves on your skin does not work. In my experience, the leaves must be thoroughly crushed, almost into a paste and then applied. This can be done effectively by getting a few leaves, tearing them up, and then crushing them in your hands. That works for up to three hours, less if you are very hot and dripping with sweat.
I wish you do short videos like this about EACH of your plants.
Me too!
He could make so many videos about individual plants!
Simply Beautiful
The jelly it makes is fantastic! I can't wait to distill the leaves for bug repellent
We have these here. They really are beautiful! I remove the leaves and put them in a vase with water and they make a beautiful centerpiece. I eat them too but they just taste like grass. Not bad, just not good. But i hear cooked into recipes they are pretty good. I will definitely try them as repellant due to the tons of MOSQUITOS that live here with us. Great video. Just a remember if you use as a centerpiece, they look the best with leaves removed and if you add water, they will last several weeks.
Great idea! I’ll be trying that. Thanks 😊
YAY, as a member of The Florida Native Plant Society, l'm so glad to see you championing this plant! A lot of people don't realize that many animals and insects rely on certain plants... that they flower and fruit when they do etc. This plant can be a little leggy, but the berries are stunning! Use it in the landscape!!!
🙌
i just found a ton of these in my yard!
Hi neighbor! Just a bit north of you in Hernando! We have tons of beauty berry bushes in our yard. Love making chia jam with them!
Sounds delicious 😋
Cool! My yard in Georgia was covered in those things! Great to know they’re useful!
I friggin love your videos! Good visuals, good music good knowledge. Blows my mind that each video isn't at a bajillion Views. But more people will find your stuff. Thanks so much for producing such quality content and sharing such awesome knowledge!
Thank you! We really appreciate that 🙌
Subscribed from Live oak Florida 🌴👍⛈️🌻! I have lots of beauty berries in my yard
‘Miracle fruit and beauty berry fruit salad’ sounds like a great combination then! It is a beautiful plant with that unique berry colour 👌🏻
In Mississippi, the Choctaw and Cherokee tribe used them to dye fabric. Beautiful color. But, I never knew you could eat them? I was told they'll make you sick. Good to know. You have to boil the leaves down to make the mosquito repellant. Like a salve.
Thank you! I'd never heard of this plant before. If you want a natural mosquito repellant and you don't like the smell of citronella, try lavender. And yes, you CAN just rub the freshly picked flowers and leaves on your skin, and it works (well, lavender does; I don't know about this plant you're introducing). I've spent most of my life living in very mosquito-laden areas, and this always works for me. You may find essential more convenient than flowers, of course, which is quite economical because you only need a tiny tiny amount of essential oil to keep mosquitoes three feet away from you.
Thanks Julia! I’ve never tried the Lavender
We have a 75 lb African Sulcata Tortoise and he breathes out so much carbon dioxide the mosquitos cover his head and front legs. Of course he’s a reptile so we can’t spray bug repellant on him but I do crush Beauty Berry leaves and rub them all around the edge of his shell and the mosquitos are gone immediately and stay away for a long time. So I guess what I’m saying is the leaves themselves do work in some cases.😊
Wow the color of those berries are amazing. Thank you for the great info.
I love where you show us subtropical edible plants and fruits.
THANK YOU!
Beauty is the perfect word for this wonderful plant. Thanks for sharing!
Rubbing the inside peel of sour orange on exposed skin also works well to repell mosquitoes. I have done it many times.
So glad to see you pop up on here! Thanks for the information neighbor!
Howdy neighbor!
@@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL Howdy neighbor!
Always good videos! Just shows ya how many Native plants are important. Definitely going let them all grow up on my property. Thanks man
Wekiva springs state park has tons of these growing. Now when I go back I will take a few seeds to plant.
I put up 9 pints of syrup from one beautyberry bush. It is delicious even though it was suppose to be jelly, it didn't set and I use it for syrup. Best way is over yogurt with cereal sprinkled on top for crunch. I cooked the berries in water for 15 minutes and let them steep for another 30 minutes. Added the recommended sugar ( so much sugar!) but it is really worth it.
I've eaten beauty berry jelly, as well as elder berry....tasty
I wondered if these were edible or not ! I'm from the north but am now a Florida resident . I've seen these on my daily walks . They do look good ! Next time I see some I'll give em a try . Thanks .
Great plant, it’s everywhere here in central Texas.
Love this one. It grow wild here in Florida. True bout the berries. But those leaves are gold. Witch hazel/isopropyl alcohol or vodka for a week. It is better than diet. Very informative video.
I have also heard that the beauty berry bush also repels ticks. I have 8 dogs and 10 acres of land that I have been planting those all around the property.
Love the editing you put into this informative, tightly packed, and on point video. 👊🏻
My buddy Lennon has been killing the edits 👊
First comment HYPE!! Love the info you give out Pete and really enjoying all the latest uploads! Keep it growing on!!
Thank you 🙏
Just found some growing wild!!!! Thanks for sharing 😘
Awesome 🤩
I’ve got them growing all over the yard my neighbors mother makes jelly from them I knew not to remove them . Now I’m glad I didn’t . Always learning something great watching the videos thanks again 🌎💕
I love that beautiful plant. Are there any cons such as toxic to pets (dogs)? Should I plant it near any particular plants to help w pests or attract good bugs?
A wonderful food source for our local pollinators when they are in bloom! Great video Pete! 🐝☮️☯️
Thanks Tim!👊
Thanks Pard! NOW I know fer sure what I planted from the woods in front of my window is! Definitely not Elderberry but blocks the sun very well here in Florida!/Welaka!
The leaves can be mulched by hand and put in a jar with rubbing alcohol overnight and can be used on you and your pets to keep fleas and ticks. And other mosquitoes and things away, I suggest adding some vanilla extract some cinnamon and clove and lavender to that, strain it, shake it well and spray it on
Thanks for the information I see that growing everywhere around me in Sanford 🌻
Pete, I have these at my place and they are a great plant for attracting birds especially Thrushes, Catbirds and Mockingbirds. I even have 1 white Beautyberry that I bought years ago. They are too a good source of moisture for the birds in the fall when there is dry conditions or a drought.
Also, I am highly sensitive, borderline allergic to mosquitos which makes it very difficult to garden here. I have something called Skeeter Syndrome where I break out in rashes, hives, bruises and swell up when I get bit so this plant sounds like a miracle for me!
Wow! That sounds terrible. Sorry to hear.
Always love the vids!! Pete you’re and inspiration!!!
Thank you!
Super interesting. I didn't know this plant. Besides everything is very beautiful. Here we use the citronella against mosquitoes.
Like this short, informative video .
Glad you liked it!
The jelly that you can make from those is awesome! The only way I can describe the taste of the jelly and the aroma jelly being made is like Christmas
oh really
We have these all over the place. I had no idea!
This is awesome. I've been working at a farm for the last year in Pasco. I never knew! Wow!
Howdy neighbor!
I also make jelly with the berries just canned 2 quarts today actually as for the bug repellent I add essential oil’s of lavender to mine to make it smell better
Always loved our native Beauty berry but never thought about growing it ??? Ty4Sharing
Wolf🐺 👍👊🐊⚡💖🙏🌱🌿👍
$20 says your Greek somewhere in your family lineage
Also I literally came here for the beauty berries but stayed because the content is entertaining
Not sure $ 20 but he is 100% sexy af
😘
Nice beautyberry sir
Green Dean makes jelly with the berries. Says it's his favorite.
I love Green Dean!
I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel... forgot about this from my Girl Scout and backpacking days. Great reminder. Can you recommend a good book or website that shows eatable plants in Florida area.
Ooo. Im just a hop and a skip on coast, ms... I dig your accent though! Thanks for informing the interested folks!
Love me some miracle fruit, um, but not before margaritas, lol, beautiful purple berries...WOW...
How to get the leaf to become repellant? Can you share the steps?
That intro was dope asf
Awesome plant. I have one in the backyard and full or berries right. Mine are sweet tasting. Going to try to make the jelly recipe. Thanks for sharing 🌱🙂✌️
Awesome!
That's beautiful color berries 🥰
Your vids are so awesome! At first I thought you do all the filming and editing but it looks like you have someone doing that for you. I LOVE the music in this one! My hubs is the President of a Sales/Marketing Video co. but neither of us make videos...would love to learn one day tho! For now, it's just me and my Note 8 LOL! Thanks for everything you do!
Thank you! It’s a real labor of love. Until 6 months ago my wife’ did all of my amazing edits. I’ve just started working with some friends to get a break.
Nice 👍🏼 info Pete thanks !!!!!
Wish I had some those here in Arizona! Would add some much needed color to my property!😍
Wonder what that plant was. I grows wild in my yard, in east Orange County.
I have been wondering about those. I have several in my yard.
makes great tp too
Hay but been watching you for quite a while now. Was curious how much your channel has exploded in the past few months. How many new subs since March? I know the garden area teaching has blown up and I'm generally curious. Thanks for the content. I have added to my garden thanks to you.
Hey man! Thanks for the support. We had a big splurge in the beginning but that has kind of leveled off. I’d say we gained about 30,000 subscribers. I almost feel like we are being censored now
Hope not that would be ridiculous. I think that "garden answer" channel has exploded also epic garden. Anywho thanks for the answer. Keep up the good work. Also thanks for the moringa video. Started a dozen from seed last week and already 4 inches tall. Crazy growth!
Thanks Pete! I learned some new about one of my favorite plants :-)
I will need to look into how its is processed to make the bug spray I was already thinking about trying them into jelly Thanks you are always full of information.
When camping here in FL, I try to seek out beautyberry and hang a few rock-crushed branches in and around the tent to ward off the skeeters. Whether or not it worked, I’ll never know!
Well played Mike!
Your like a green encyclopedia mate. Love your show keep it up.
POUND SOIL LOL ( gettin technical here )
Thanks Nick! 👊
There's your multiple-function permaculture application right there ! :) Wonder how that would perform in a hot, arid climate (partial shade ?) like Tempe, AZ...What is the ultimate plant "size" in FLA ? Deciduous ? Funny recollection on the Miracle Fruit, Pete :)
I live in Central Florida. This plant grows all over our 10 acres, especially the woodlands near the stream. The plants are at least 7 ft tall. The stalks are tough, woody like bamboo, not as strong, but not flimsy or bendable.
So how DO you distill the leaves to extract the mosquito repellant properties out of them? Inquiring minds want to know!
crush up some leaves and put some everclear alcohol the strain about 3 weeks later
GREAT info.
TY🎉
It's a naturalized native in our yard. The berries are pretty but pretty tastless to me also... But I did know they're edible.
Cheers from Tampa!
Hey Todd!!👊
Wowww 😍😍
Well, I have been in Florida my whole life, have seen this berry from time to time, but not knowing what it was (and as always this is good advice) I didn't attempt to touch or eat it. If you are not sure about a plant, even (or especially) in a survival situation), it is probably a lot better to move on and try to find something else you are sure is not going to cause you to get sick or hurt.
Staring at the Black Sun Trying to SEE THE LIGHT if ur not sure about wat to eat in the wild,check out “green dean” aka eat the weeds.com. The guy is AMAZING!!!
I take stacks of the leaves and cut them in long strips and put them into a container of alchohol and wait 1 week and put a sprayer top on the bottle and spray any bites my family has and they stop itching and go away.
Wow!
Thank you for telling the truth about the leaves repelling mosquitoes. It has never worked for me.
Pete is the best mentor for food foresty yeeee #stillergang
Thanks bro! 👊
@@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL anytime gotta give credit when due and look forward to more knowledge
I tried some this morning. The plants are exhausted because of the drought. They were kind of sweet. If they weren't all dried up and gasping for water I would have eaten more.
We seriously need some rain! 🙏
We love making jelly out of beauty berries.
Nice info. I was hazy about the beauty berry.
Thanks!
I actually discovered them, while inside the Bronx Zoo here in NYC, there seems to grow in the wild. I would love to transplant them & grow them in my garden, however, just afraid that the new transplant cannot survived the harsh winter here.
Wow! That’s really far north.
If you add sugar of some type they are great for baking.
Ive seen you eating them before in one of your clips.
Hey Pete, are you able to meet all your chickens nutritional needs with what you grow there on your farm?
I have managed to finally get one of the beautyberry shrubs from seed , I had more but something happened the the rest and they did not make it to the more durable woody stem stage. Thanks
We probably could, but currently use feed.
If the one your talking about has white berries it is calicarpa japonica which is the same in every aspect except it has white berries (which are edible), but it’s naturalized from Japan.
They most likely won't grow in Southern MN...great video!
I think I found some. However I'm curious if there is a poisonous look alike of this?
Be sure to identify properly, just in case
Have never heard of this berry ... we have mountain ash but there is so much prep that it's not worth the effort. Is Beauty Berry like that? new subbie here .
What books do you recommend for someone getting into permaculture? I can't remember which video it was, but there was a book that you had said was the best to check out. Thank you!
Hello! I would suggest Gaia’s garden to get started. I personally learn more from videos and playing in the dirt 😁
i read somewhere the berries can get rid of pinworms and tapeworms i tried rubbing the leaves it stings a bit also the berries taste horrible but i get the juice and spit out the rest
It’s native to Virginia also
I have these Beauty Berry plants all over my yard. I break them up and crush them in my hands then rub them on my arms, really doesn't work well like that even I found. I'm going to look into another method as you said. They are very pretty right now tho.
me + miracle berry = no more beautyberry bush
Are they easy to propagate? Any tips? I've seen them around locally and would love to get some in my yard!
Hey Justin! Yes, the do propagate fairly easy in spring. We use soft wood cuttings with a little rooting hormone.
I've noticed many are full of fruit now in 10A. Do they fruit year round? Best propagation methods?
Hey Michael! They seem to fruit in spring and finish by fall.
We start them from soft wood cuttings with a little rooting hormone.
Thanks
Did not know this
I live in Zone 9A in Texas and often see these berries when I go on walks. I thought they were too pretty to be edible. 😅
I love this video! My mom makes jelly every year and we always have people say “isn’t that poisonous?” My grandpa thought they were too! Haha
Nice to know they have an alternate use! Does anyone make any products from the beauty berries that they sell anywhere? I’d love a natural bug spray but I don’t know how I’d go about making any! Although I have a good amount in my backyard!
Hey Victoria! I’ve only seen jellies and jam from the berries. We’ve purchased a natural bug spray called “bug off” with this as the main ingredient. You would have to extract the oils similar to the way they make essential oils through a distillation process.
I wonder if you changed up the soil nutrients it would gain more flavor? does it grow in the shade?
i don't know about the insect repellant quality. Leaf foot bugs seem to be attracted to it in my garden.