Poisonous Plants
CAUTION: Never, ever ingest a plant that you are not certain of!
Bittersweet Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara
Nightshades originated in Europe, but rapidly assumed the status of a "weed" in many geographical areas since they grow everywhere: behind beaches, along fences and roadsides, or anywhere the soil has been disturbed. The main risk is accidental consumption of the berries, particularly by children.
The plant, especially in its green immature fruits, contains steroidal alkaloids, which have caused poisoning in cattle and sheep. People may also have been poisoned after ingesting immature berries. More information is available at the Government of Canada website. Also, please research local resources.
English Yew
Taxus baccata
All parts, except the flesh of the berries, contain taxin, a complex of alkaloids which is rapidly absorbed. Also present are ephedrine, a cyanogenic glycoside (taxiphyllin) and a volatile oil.
Where poisoning has occurred, in animals or humans, there may be no symptoms and death can follow within a few hours of ingestion. If symptoms do occur, they usually include trembling, staggering, feeling cold, and a weak pulse. The person may even collapse.
Yew is one of the plants where the poison is not destroyed when the plant dies. Thus, branches removed from a yew by high winds or pruning will retain their poison.
Though the berries are supposedly harmless, the seed within them is HIGHLY toxic. Some websites claim that if the seed is unbroken it will pass through the body without being digested – there are cases of some people becoming very ill from swallowing a whole seed. Bottom line – do not eat any part of the yew in order to ensure your safety.
Fool's Parsley
Aethusa cynapium
Similar to Queen Anne's Lace, Fool's Parsley has large white flowers. One major difference is that the Queen Anne's Lace flowers occur much tighter together. Also, Queen Anne's Lace flowers often have a solitary purple flower in the center.
The best way to distinguish the two is to smell the root of the plant, since Queen Anne's Lace root smells like carrots.
Hairy-Stemmed Spurge
Euphorbia vermiculata
Hairy-stemmed spurge is a poisonous plant that is similar in appearance to purslane.
Hairy-stemmed spurge is distinguished by a milky sap, which can be seen if you squeeze the stem.
Poison Hemlock
Conium maculatum
Similar to Queen Anne's Lace, Poison Hemlock has large white flowers. One major difference is that the Queen Anne's Lace flowers occur much tighter together. Also, Queen Anne's Lace flowers often have a solitary purple flower in the center.
The best way to distinguish the two is to smell the root of the plant, since Queen Anne's Lace root smells like carrots.
Red Baneberry
Actaea rubra
Red baneberry berries are poisonous; so much so that eating as few as two or three can cause a person to suffer with severe cramps, burning in the stomach, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, increased pulse, headaches and dizziness. Severe poisoning results in paralysis of the respiratory system, convulsions and even cardiac arrest.
This plant has attractive foliage and berries that look nice but they are to be avoided at all costs.
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquifolia
Virginia creeper has a woody vine and leaves composed of five leaflets, arranged palmately. It is a climbing vine found in many locations such as in fields and forests and it is also used as an ornamental climber on trellises and building walls. Children who ingested the berries and leaves have reportedly been poisoned and have died. Please refer to local resources for more details and the Government of Canada website.
Children who ingested the berries and leaves have reportedly been poisoned and have died. Please refer to local resources for more details and the Government of Canada website.
Winter Survival Food Handbook
Types of Wild Food
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