Many different shrubs and plants grow beautiful flowers, followed by little berries, which contain the seed of the plant. These berries are often as attractive as the leaves and flowers of the plant, and many look good enough to eat. However, the berries of several common garden or forest plans are highly poisonous. These poisonous berries often look completely innocent, so being able to identify a few of them will help to ensure that they are not ingested by accident. Though they may look similar, you can differentiate them by way of the leaves of the plant upon which they are growing.
1. Nightshade
One of the most famous and deadly berries in the world comes from the nightshade plant. Every single part of this plant is toxic when ingested, and will cause death if treatment is not sought right away. Nightshade plants are deceptive because they have beautiful blooms of dark purple flowers, and their little oblong green, red, purple, and even black berries also look very appealing. These poisonous berries are even more dangerous because they actually taste good, so you may ingest them with no idea that they have great potential to kill you.
2. Moonseed
Yet another common toxic berry to look out for while enjoying the outdoors is the moonseed berry. These bright red berries grow in clusters, much like grapes, and actually look quite tasty. Their plant, a vine with large, grape-like leaves, is also very pretty. However, the beautiful and captivating appearance is actually deadly. The berries of the plant cause paralysis and, eventually, death. These plants are very common across much of North America, so it is beneficial to know what they are and avoid them when spending time outdoors.
3. Daphne
And lastly, another outdoor plant known as the daphne also has highly poisonous berries. The shrub is common in gardens because of its delicate yellow blooms. The berries and leaves of the daphne plant are rich in mezerien, a toxin which causes vomiting and internal bleeding. These early symptoms progress and are eventually followed by a coma, and then death. The berries of the daphne are either red or yellow in color. The smell of the plant is very attractive, and the berries do look as if they might taste good, but rest assured, these berries are not to be consumed.
Featured Image from Daura Noble Martínez/Unsplash
