Unsafe & Poisonous Wild Plants: How to Tell If Wild Plants are Unsafe to Eat
There are loads of wild edible plants found in every terrain and in all climates of the world. Although most of us do not prefer wild plants to regular food, there are times when the need to survive arises. Furthermore, there is a new trend called “foraging”, where environmentally friendly people called “freegans” enjoy eating plants and food found in the wilderness. Foraging is the 21st century green; to survive these tough economic times, knowing how to get a salad for free can be a very useful trick.
Characteristics of Plants You Cannot Eat
Take note of these plant characteristics when foraging in the wild. They can be potentially dangerous so avoid wild plants with – bulbs, seeds or beans inside its pods; soapy or bitter taste; discolored or milky sap; thorns, spines and fine hairs, almond-scent in leaves and stem; parsley, carrot, dill or parsnip-like foliage; grain heads with black, purple or pink spurs.
Top Poisonous Plants
Narcissus or Daffodil can be fatal. The bulbs can cause vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. The stems can cause vomiting, blurred vision and headaches. A common skin problem for florist is the “daffodil itch”, caused by its sap, which involves fissures, erythema, dryness and scaling of the hands.
Rhododendron or Azalea can cause vomiting, nausea, breathing difficulties, depression and coma. Even the honey made by bees that feed on azalea makes people ill as it has laxative and hallucinogenic properties.
Oleander contains nerioside, saponins, oleandroside and cardiac glycosides. All parts are poisonous, especially the leaves and stems. It can cause heart trouble, severe digestive upset and contact dermatitis. It is very toxic. The inhalation of burning oleander can cause fatal reactions in the lungs.
Foxglove or Digitalis contains deadly chemical and physiologically related steroidal and cardiac glycosides. Dubbed as “Witches’ Gloves” and “Dead Man’s Bells”, its upper stems can potentially cause death.
Mushroom, as in any mushroom unknown to you. With mushrooms, you must be absolutely sure you identify them before eating them. You can’t experiment. You can’t make a mistake, because it can be a fatal one. The most toxic mushroom can affect the central nervous system and symptoms will only manifest few days after ingestion; by then, there’s no reversing the effects.
Edibility Testing
It must be noted that this test is for emergency survival situations only and is not fail-safe. This test takes 24 hours to complete so it is important that you perform this test on a plant abundant in the area. Applying the Universal Edibility Test can save your life. Eating wild plants and food is a trial and sometimes, fatal error. Kudos to the courageous soul who munched on the first wild strawberries or chewed on chickweed. Through edibility testing, we learned not to eat the poisonous leaves of rhubarb and the poisonous bulbs of hyacinth. Through continuous research and testing, we can identify the edible and the useful among the group.
Whether is it following trends or surviving a wilderness camp gone wrong or a survival strategy to combat failing economics, eating wild plants has caught on. Clearly, humans cannot sustain life on wild plants alone, but this appreciation of nature’s gifts is enriching to the soul. It reestablishes the long-lost connection between human beings and Mother Nature. It is important to know the type of plants and food you can and can’t eat in the wilderness, and how you can tell one from the other. It can be a matter of life or death; and it is also important to not be abusive and to tread lightly.
Disclaimer
This is not a medical advice and not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Check with your physician first before following any advice you have read on BrightHub.com. Consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed to you.
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