In the past (perhaps as little as 12 months ago) I have made resolutions of improbable achievement. Later, I tell myself that I didn't necessarily resolve to Do the splits, but resolved to contemplate them. But this year, I am going to give you my own new and improved resolution, hoping these things bare no resemblance to birthday wishes which will not come true if you tell them.
I resolve to NOT eat any poisonous plants this year.
To aid in this serious endeavor, requiring all the resolve I can usually muster for these formulaic promises, let us look as some local plants of detriment. We have already examined Indian hellebore, poison and water hemlocks, and snowberries.
This year, I begin with the most Goth plant ever; clusters of deep purple star flowers with gold stamen cones, slender vine, and deceptive, cheery red berries make Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). The dark green, purplish leaves (1-4") sometimes have extra "lobes" near the base. When picked or crushed, Bittersweet nightshade exudes a horrific "green" smell, which should ward off any human predators. This prolific vine chokes streams and plants with smothering mats.
Screaming was the inarticulate yet appropriate way my mother responded when I handed her an enchanting bouquet of these flowers which had filled my young self with awe, adoration and some bewilderment at the stench. Her response was based upon information. Mine was based upon appearances.
Birds eat the berries with impunity, spreading their seeds as nature intended. But Bittersweet Nightshade is responsible for the deaths of livestock and children via the green-potato-toxin solanine and dulcamarine. The leaves and green berries are the most poisonous. But the red berries could turn you inside out as well, depending on the soil they sprout from. Should you not keep our New Years Resolution this is how you might feel: irritated skin, abdominal pain, tired yet restless, headache, difficulty breathing, low body temperature, dilated pupils, diarrhea, paralysis, convulsion, and then possibly death (www.metrokc.gov
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is found along roadsides and is overwhelming my neighbor's garden. It grows 2-3' tall, with fragrant lacey leaves, and golden button-like flower clusters topping the stems. Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies by Linda Kershaw gave Tansy a long list of medicinal uses such as last ditch efforts at fighting parasites, fungi, bacteria and tumors. And then this Warning: "volatile oils of these plants are poisonous – a small quantity can kill in 2-4 hours." Edible Indeed! In minute quantities, Tansy once flavored Easter cakes in
Groundsels are another roadside attraction teetering on the fence between sustenance and death. Common groundsels (Senecio vulgaris) could be mistaken as a "type" of dandelion or sow thistle. The leaves are shaped like deeply lobed dandelion leaves, but are thick and shiny and grow from the stem. The flowers are yellow and look like closed dandelion flowers, then turn white and fly away with their seeds. Western groundsels (Senecio intergerrimus) are tall with up-pointing thick leaves and bunches of yellow, raggedy, daisy looking flowers at the top. Both of these groundsels would gladly deliver to your liver alkaloids which would cause permanent damage before you ever felt a thing. Once you started feeling, hope would vanish with the onset of bloody diarrhea, sleepiness, weakness, staggering, jaundice and death. Groundsel contaminated flour and honey can cause similar pains. Arrow-leaved groundsel (Senecio triangularis) is considered an Wild Edible when young, but with the aforementioned relatives, I'd just as soon keep my distance.
Girded with these warnings (which are Not exhaustive) I hope we can all make it safely to 2008. Lets leave the bloody diarrhea and convulsions for another year.
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