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[VAN DELL JORDAN <vdjor AT yahoo.com>]

--- On Fri, 10/17/08, keith bellinger <bartermn AT epix.net> wrote:


> I found out what my mystery berries are from a brother
> visiting from 
> Tennessee, polkberries. I had searched online and through
> my books for 
> hours without finding it. He told a story about how an
> elderly lady he 
> knows uses the berries to help her arthritis. Five berries
> a day, 
> freezing them for later. Further research warned they are
> poisonous. 
> Anyone eat the greens? 

We always thought they were poisonous until my uncle married a widow from 
Arkansas.  When they started eating it we did too.  Though I understand that 
there is potential for poison.  We may have not had a problem because we 
cooked all vegetables "to death".  Great mixed with wild mustard, the poke 
has a smooth texture and mixes well with the courser texture of mustard.