Gardening and foraging help to unite people with nature, but it should be noted that not all beautiful or ordinary plants are good to touch or eat. Numerous of them are cultivated in home gardens, parks or in wild places and this is the reason why awareness is very essential. This is not fear but wisdom and appreciation of nature. Wearing gloves, not touching plants that are unfamiliar and educating children about not tasting things outside is easy. Being aware of the plants that need special attention will enable gardeners and foragers to enjoy nature without the fear of being exposed as well as to be safe and informed.
Poison Hemlock
In the process of foraging, poison hemlock resembles wild parsley or carrot plants, so it is easy to confuse them. It possesses smooth hollow stems many times with purple spots. Every aspect of the plant is toxic when ingested. It is risky even to carry money in large quantities without protection.
Deadly Nightshade
The plant is dull green in color with a bell shaped flower. Due to similarities between the berries and the edible fruits, the inexperienced eyes should never taste the wild berries unless it has been verified and identified with absolute confidence.
Foxglove
Foxglove is also a perennial and has admirable spikes of colorful flowers that are bell-shaped and mostly cultivated in gardens. Although beautiful, any part of the plant has substances which when ingested can be harmful.
Oleander
Oleander is an ornamental shrub that is attractive and has flowers in warm climates. Nonetheless, the entire plant is deemed to be very unsafe when consumed. The smoke of its burning branches is not safe either. It may be misleading in its pleasant appearance and therefore it should be treated properly and no trimmings should be used in cooking fires or compost applied on food crops.
Castor Bean Plant
Castor bean has huge, tropical-looking leaves and spiny seed pods, thus it is mostly used in decorative gardens. Its seeds have a natural compound which is very dangerous when processed and consumed. It can be safe to just leave the plant alone and grow, but seeds should never be more or less casually touched, and any areas with children or pets may be avoided.
Water Hemlock
Water hemlock is usually growing close to streams, ponds or wet meadows and is resembling edible carrot family plants. It bears clustered little white flowers. It may be hazardous to confuse it with a harmless wild plant.
Jimsonweed
It may grow anywhere on the road or on an open field. Composing all the parts of the plant are compounds that lead to severe health consequences in case they are consumed. Since it sprouts in areas that have been disturbed, gardeners can have it accidentally and must take it out quite gently and put on gloves.
Lily of the Valley
It is a low-growing plant that has delicate white bell-shaped flowers and sweet scent which is normally used in shady gardens. Although it has a soft look it has substances that may cause an impact on the heart when used.
Monkshood
Monkshood has flowers of a deep blue or purple hood shape and is at times grown because of its vivid color. The plant has some compounds which could be absorbed through the broken skin. It is attractive in gardens due to its beauty but one should always be careful of it.
Yew
Yew shrubs and trees are prevalent in the landscape and their needle-like leaves are bright red and had a structure that resembles a berry. The plant is not safe to eat most of its parts with the exception of the red outer flesh.
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