365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Friday, September 14, 2018
Nightshade
Day 336: Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) is common in western Washington wetlands, and although it is poisonous and in the same family, it is not the "belladonna" of notoriety (Atropa belladonna). Many plants in the family of Solanaceae are at least partially edible, e.g., tomatoes, potatoes, garden peppers (hot and sweet) and eggplant; the toxins are largely confined to the foliage. However, sensitive individuals may still react to the edible portions. Bittersweet Nightshade bears a red berry which resembles a tiny "grape" tomato. Birds can process the alkaloids contained in the fruit without ill effect as can some species of small mammals, but humans may experience digestive distress, permanent liver damage or cardiorespiratory distress from consuming the leaves or berries. Keep kids and pets away from this plant!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment