The Carrion Flower Plant

Alice and I were walking the local railtrail yesterday and found a gorgeous plant  with tight blue berries. I've discovered it is Carrion Flower which doesn't bode well  for how the fruit is likely to smell but there are a lont of entrees on the Native American  Ethnobotany page of Univ of Michigan. Haven't tried it yet but according to both the UMich ethnobotany site and Plants  for a Future Database the entire plant of the Carrion Flower is edible and has  many uses including a tasty fruit. Edible Uses                                           Edible Parts: Fruit;  Leaves;  Root. Edible Uses: Gelatine. Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked and used like asparagus[85, 102, 159]. A delicate and palatable vegetable[183]. Fruit - raw or cooked and used in jellies etc[85, 183]. It should only be used when fully ripe[183]. A pleasant flavour[207, 257]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[200]. Root - cooked[257]. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then used with cereals for making bread etc[62, 102]. It can also be used as a gelatine substitute[62, 102].

Medicinal Uses Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. Analgesic;  Antiaphonic;  Kidney;  Pectoral;  Poultice;  Salve. Eating the fruit is said to be effective in treating hoarseness[207, 257]. The parched and powdered leaves have been used as a dressing on burns[257]. The wilted leaves have been used as a dressing on boils[257]. The root is analgesic[257]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of back pains, stomach complaints, lung disorders and kidney problems[257].