Redberried

Redberried is a descriptive term used in botany and horticulture to designate plants whose ripe fruit or berries are red. It is not a formal taxonomic category but a phenotype that can occur across many plant families and growth forms, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species.

The red coloration arises from pigments such as anthocyanins, and sometimes from carotenoids in combination with ripening cues. Red berries often signal ripeness to animals, particularly birds, which disperse the seeds. The shade and intensity of red can vary with environmental factors such as sunlight, temperature, and soil conditions.

In horticulture, redberried cultivars or selections are valued for winter color and contrast in gardens and landscapes. Many wild red-berried species provide seasonal food for birds during autumn and winter. Some red berries are edible for humans in appropriate contexts (for example, certain cultivated berries), but many red berries are poisonous or not suitable for consumption; proper identification is essential.

Representative examples of redberried plants include holly (Ilex species), rowan or mountain ash (Sorbus species), and guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus), as well as various Rubus species such as red raspberries. The term redberried is widely used in field guides and garden catalogs as a descriptive feature rather than a formal taxonomic designation.