Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: What is the most interesting fact you know about poisonous plants?
ANSWER:
All plants have at least some chemicals to defend themselves
from being eaten by insects, birds and mammals. The ones we call poisonous can
make us sick or dead from a reasonably small dose (one we can be expected to eat).
Some of the the others, even food plants, could cause problems if eaten raw or in
very high, silly doses. Fruits have fewer of these chemicals, even when they are
raw because it is to the plant's advantage to have animals come eat this part to
carry away and plant the seed. We have bred food crops (like our grains and salad
veggies) to have very little of these toxic chemicals, but then WE have to
protect the plants form insects, weeds and fungus instead. That is one reason
crops don't do as well as weeds. Others we cook and drain to destroy the toxic
parts (Like dry beans).