How to Identify Berry Plants

There are many reasons why you should be able to identify different types of berries. Whether you are in the wild or at a farmer's market, there are many types of berry plants that can appear similar. It is important to be able to identify them, especially if you need food for survival in the wild. Berries that are ideal for identifying--and also grow abundantly--are blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, blackberries and elderberries.

Instructions

- 1
  
  Look for blueberries and juniper berries in open, sunny areas. They will be on low bushes and shrubs, with the juniper berry appearing a little larger than the blueberry. Juniper berries have sharp, spiky, short leaves on them, whereas blueberries have a softer appearance with fatter, lighter green leaves that are not spiky. They are both very green, and the berries do not have a circumference bigger than a penny. More often than not, they are much smaller than a penny--about half the size.
- 2
  
  Look around water and moisture-rich areas of the forest by streams, ponds and lakes. Berries that grow in these areas include the raspberry and black raspberry, and blackberries that require a lot of hydration. These grow very abundantly on their medium-sized shrubs, covering the branches and falling to the ground, attracting many birds and creatures. Look for an area where wildlife is flocking. These berries can appear in the common colors of red and black, but can also appear orangish-yellow. The leaves are more flat and wide to collect more sunshine, and are not very thick. The texture is soft and fuzzy and can be easily torn, with ragged edges. They range from dark green to light green.
- 3
  Examine low shrubbery around bogs and very mineral rich soil. Cranberries grow in these areas, sometime on the ground, so it is important to look for them very carefully. Cranberries are very small and round, no larger than half a penny. They will be firm and shiny. The leaves of these berry plants are smaller and sharp. Also, the bright red color of the berries will surely catch your eye, so if the red berries are not too bright, they probably aren't cranberries.
- 4
  Keep an eye out for fluffy white blossoms on trees. This often means that the tree produces a fruit of some kind, and it could be a berry tree. Common berry trees include the elderberry, which produces fragrant white blossoms on the ends of the branches. They sprout in marshy areas with lots of plant life. The berries are very dark, almost a purplish-red color. They hang down in huge bouquets from thin branches. They grow to be fat and juicy, but beware: The only edible thing on the elderberry tree is the berries and blossoms. Other parts are poisonous. The leaves tend to be long and skinny, and hang down like mini-willow tree leaves. They are medium to light green and soft.

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