Poke berries. Toxic or not?
Now that spring is around the corner I wanted to re-post this list for new foragers thinking about heading back into the field.
Below is a toxic plant list for Northwest Arkansas. I’ve linked each plant to an article with more information. The list is short, but I hope to update annually or as often as possible. If you know of any that should be included or see a plant that should be taken off the list, please email: maturehealth at yahoo dot com or leave a comment in the comments area.
Datura stramonium – Jimson weed, loco weed
Phytolacca americana – Pokeberry, Poke berry
Article at MatureHealth
Note: Though the pokeberry can be highly toxic, there have been some reports of people eating the berry with no ill effects. The plant also has medicinal properties that are mentioned in the article (in link) but medicinal use by those who don’t know how to use the plant have also resulted in poisoning.
Solanum americanum – American Nightshade
Article at MatureHealth
Solanum carolinense – Horse Nettle
Article at MatureHealth
Taxus —- – Varied species of Yew
Toxicodendron radicans = Rhus radicans – Poison Ivy
Another article at Wikipedia
Toxicodendron vernix – Poison Sumac
Amanda said,
May 8, 2009 @ 11:24 pm
I liked the information that you gave on the poke weed, but it’s not entirely true. The leaves can be cooked similarly to spinach leaves. You have to boil the leaves twice though, and discard the first water. Just thought I’d pass on the information.