Help with plant ID

[KHickam]

I found this plant growing here on the farm.  I am familiar with different berry plants in my home state and region, but I am not familiar with Texas plants.

It is a small shrub

The branches have alternating small leaves. 

It has small blue/black berries in clusters growing off the branch.

What is it?

Search on the internet has not been fruitful.

[old salt]

Can you post a picture to help us?

[KHickam]

It isn't a very good pic

[NAULTRICK1]

  Can't really tell from the picture, but it sounds like choke cherry-prunus virginiana-in Cree"takwahimina`na, if you crush the berries is there a fairly hard pit? If not then I'd need a better pic, anyways don't eat until you're sure what it is.

[KHickam]

Yes, it has a hard pit - and rather large compared to the size of the fruit.

[NAULTRICK1]

  Sounds exactly like a choke cherry, good eatin, especially cooked down like a jam with cream and a little sugar, the Cree name means "berry that is crushed"

[KHickam]

Hopefully this will give more detail for the identification.  It is a short bush perhaps 3 ft tall

[NAULTRICK1]

  The problem I have is I've never heard of them growing that far south, and the berries are usually purplish to black, but the way Grandma showed me to distinguish was by the pit, lots of pit little flesh, slightly sweet, and when the pit is crunched is slightly bitter, thanks for the question, takes me back a long ways, to treking for medicine with my Grandma. Like any thing that grows wild ya gotta be careful, just as much can do harm as heal, A diffision (tea) made from the leaves is good for colds and the croup, the bark when deconcocted (boiled) aid in stomache ailments, and the roots boiled for the flu. But not being there and being absolutely sure, I don't recommend until you are.

[beowulf]

look a lot like wild blueberries ! but I`m not sure ,would actually have to see the danged things up close and in person .

[DEADDAWG]

Get ahold of these folks, they should be able to help you out.  http://www.texasblueberryfestival.com/

I agree with Beowulf, Southern Hibush Blueberry. We had them on Camp Bullis and Medina Base when I was stationed in San Antonio.

[Red Badger]

Get ahold of these folks, they should be able to help you out.  http://www.texasblueberryfestival.com/

I agree with Beowulf, Southern Hibush Blueberry. We had them on Camp Bullis and Medina Base when I was stationed in San Antonio.

ARRGh don't remind me of Camp Bullis and Medina base.... I spent enough time there.... 

and being a Marine Brat loved every minute of it!  GO AF!

[voyageur1688]

 To far south for my knowledge. I be a northern boy but do know that aint no choke cherry.
Voy

[NAULTRICK1]

I stand corrected! Didn't think they grew that far south, and the second picture does make em look like blue berries, but I'm use to blue berries growing low to the ground, OH well live and learn

[BRIAR]

BLUEBERRIES DON'T HAVE PITS THO. IT'S HARD TO MISTAKE A BLUEBERRY IF YOU TASTE IT. THAT IS IF'N YOU EVER HAD HAD ET THEM AFORE.

[Ironwood]

Lots of Blueberries grown around here. Nacogdoches Texas has a Blueberry Festival every year.  Blue berries don't have pits.  Blueberries have some very small seeds and the fruit grows in more of a cluster.  Is the plant an evergreen?