#Identifying Poisonous Plants

[allfortheloveofdogs]

A Personal Story: The Importance of Identifying Poison Berries

When it comes to our beloved pets, their safety and well-being are paramount. We go to great lengths to ensure that they are protected from harm, but sometimes, unexpected dangers can lurk in our own backyards. Today, I want to share a personal story that highlights the critical importance of identifying plants, weeds, berries and other items in our backyards and the profound impact it can have…

[hylianengineer]

Sometimes I think the hardest part of writing is knowing what normal people DON'T know.

[dutybcrne]

I love the idea of Tighnari being like Maomao in that he tested all sorts of weird shit on himself while growing up and even in the present, and wound up with a poison immunity/resistance bc of it.

[trollbreak]

Worst part abt my energy vanishing: brain determined to convince me that I’m annoying and give me psychic damage every time I take breath to wanna ask if I can clink my characters with someone else’s characters abt it

[crazywolf828]

Man people are wild for being able to identify plants/mushrooms and just picking and eating them. The stages of absolute fear I would go through even if I knew 100% what it was like I could never

[thecruellestmonth]

help your batfam drinks post reminded me of a rogues handwriting post i saw in the tags a while ago that had the exact same energy with the male rogues getting more thought out ones and then Catwoman's was like "MOM STYLE! she's such a maternal mommy friend to the male rogues lmao she's such a mother hen!"

Oh man. Not to put anyone on blast, but that sounds bad. 🤣🤣🤣

[nimblermortal]

Going for a Walk with Hyacinth

Hyacinth: Do you know what this is? Me: May apple! Sweet william! Simon says! Hyacinth: It's Virginia creeper. Me: Do you know what I mean by Simon says? Hyacinth: No Me: It's the one with a name. Jack in the pulpit. Hyacinth: Do you know what this is? Me: May apple! Sweet william! Simon - Jack in the pulpit! Hyacinth: It's Virginia creeper. Do you know what this is? Me: May apple! Sweet william! Jack in the pulpit! Hyacinth: Virginia creeper. Do you know what this is? Me: Virginia creeper? Hyacinth: It's a may apple.

[whiskerandsprig]

Feline Friends and Green Companions: Navigating the Safe Greens for Your Cat

Cats and plants share our living spaces, bringing joy, comfort, and a touch of nature’s beauty into our homes. However, the coexistence of our feline friends with our green companions can sometimes pose hidden dangers. A number of common houseplants are toxic to cats, potentially leading to a range of health issues. On the flip side, many plants are perfectly safe and can even contribute to a stimulating environment for your pet. In this article, we’ll delve into which plants to keep and which to avoid to ensure the safety and happiness of your furry family member. We’ll also explore the signs of a sick cat, so you can act swiftly should your pet ingest something harmful.

Plants That Pose a Danger

Lilies (Lilium spp. and Hemerocallis spp.): Extremely toxic to cats. Even small ingestions can cause severe kidney damage.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta): Contains cycasin, which can cause vomiting, liver failure, and potentially death.

Diffenbachia: Can cause oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, and tongue, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting.

Azaleas and Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.): Contain grayanotoxins that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and potential central nervous system damage.

Tulips and Hyacinths (Tulipa and Hyacinthus): The bulbs of these plants contain toxins that can cause intense stomach upset, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities.

Safe Greens for Your Cat

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Known for its air-purifying qualities, it’s safe for cats and often attracts them with its dangling spiderettes.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): A non-toxic plant that adds lush greenery and is safe for cats to brush against or nibble.

Cat Grass (Dactylis glomerata): Specifically grown for cats to eat, it can aid in digestion and help prevent hairballs.

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): A safe, non-toxic plant that adds a tropical flair to your decor while being safe for curious cats.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria): While not a plant to be grown in large indoor gardens due to its intoxicating effects on cats, it’s completely safe and can provide hours of entertainment.

Recognizing the Signs of a Sick Cat

Knowing the signs that your cat has ingested a toxic plant is crucial for their well-being. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:

Vomiting or Diarrhea: Often the first sign of something wrong.

Drooling or Difficulty Swallowing: Indicative of oral irritation caused by toxic plants.

Lethargy or Weakness: A sign of systemic poisoning.

Difficulty Breathing: Can indicate a severe reaction, requiring immediate veterinary attention.

Seizures or Changes in Urination: Particularly concerning signs of poisoning that demand urgent care.

Creating a safe, stimulating environment for your cat doesn’t mean sacrificing greenery. By choosing pet-safe plants and being vigilant about the potential dangers of toxic ones, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Always monitor your cat for any signs of distress, especially if you introduce new plants into your home. Remember, when in doubt, consult with your veterinarian to ensure the health and safety of your beloved pet. Together, you and your feline friend can enjoy a lush, vibrant home filled with life and joy.

[cecilianotthesaint]

I would never cheat on my bf with another person in a million years but if I could make out with the missouri department of conservation’s online field guide it would get so sloppy

[tittyinfinity]

Friendly Demon & Roxas with their favorite plant

[headspace-hotel]

The knowledge of some common plants

Since many people don't know most of the plants around them, this is information on some plants that are commonly seen in many places throughout the world

This is Lamium purpureum, also called Purple Deadnettle.

It's called deadnettle because it looks like a nettle but it doesn't sting you

This plant is a winter annual—it grows its leaves in the fall, lasts through the winter, and blooms and dies in the spring

Its pollen is reddish orange. If you see bees with their heads stained reddish orange, it is likely because they have visited Purple Deadnettle

This is Trifolium repens, white clover

It is a legume (belongs to the bean family) and fixes nitrogen using symbiosis with bacteria that live in little nodules on its roots, fertilizing the soil

It is a good companion plant for the other members of a lawn or garden since it is tough, adaptable, and improves soil quality. According to my professor it used to be in lawn mixes, until chemical companies wanted to sell a new herbicide that would kill broadleaved plants and spare grass, and it was slandered as a weed :(

It is native only to Europe and Central Asia, but in the lawns they are doing more good than harm most places

Honeybees love to visit clover

Four-leaf clovers are said to be lucky

This is Achillea millefolium, Common Yarrow

It has had a relationship with humans since Neanderthals were around, at least 60,000 years, since Neanderthals have been found buried with Yarrow

Its leaves have been used to stop bleeding throughout history, and its scientific name comes from how Achilles was said to have used Yarrow to stop the blood from the wounds of his soldiers. A leaf rolled into a ball has been used to stop nosebleeds

It is a native species all throughout Eurasia and North America

This is Cichorium intybus, known as Chicory

The leaves look a lot like dandelion leaves, until in mid-spring when it begins growing a woody green stem straight up into the air

Like many other weeds, it has a symbiotic relationship with humans, existing in a mix of domesticated or partially domesticated and wild populations

It is native to Eurasia, but widespread in North America on roadsides and disturbed places, where it descended from cultivated plants

Its root contains large amounts of inulin, which is used as a sweetener and fiber supplement (if you look at the ingredients on the granola bars that have extra fiber, they usually are partly made of chicory root) and has also been used as a coffee substitute

A large variety of bees like to feed upon it

This is Phytolacca americana, known as Pokeweed

It is easily identified by its huge leaves and its waxy, bright magenta stem

It can grow more than nine feet tall from a sprout in a single summer!

If you squish the berries, the juice inside is a shocking magenta that is so bright it almost burns your eyes. For this reason many Native American people used it for pink and purple dye.

It is a heavy metal hyperaccumulator, particularly good for removing cadmium from the soil

All parts of the plant are poisonous and will make you very sick if you eat them, however if the leaves are picked when very young and boiled 3 times, changing out the water each time, they can be eaten, and this is a traditional food in the rural American Southeast, but I don't want to chance it

British people have introduced it as a pretty, exotic ornamental plant. I think that is very funny considering that here it is a weed associated with places where poor people live, but maybe they're right and I need to look closer to see the beauty.

If you see magenta stains in bird poop it is because they ate pokeweed berries- birds can safely eat the berries whereas humans cannot

This is Plantago lanceolata, Ribwort Plantain

It grows in heavily disturbed soils, in fact it is considered an indicator of agricultural activity. It is successful in the poorest, heaviest and most compacted soil.

The leaves, seeds, and flower heads are said to be edible but the leaves are really stringy unless they are very young. Of course, it is important to be careful when eating wild plants, and make sure you have identified the plant correctly and the soil is not contaminated

I have also heard the strings in the leaves can be extracted and used for textile purposes

and that's some common plants you might often see throughout the world

[becca-alexa]

sometimes i want to just grab my professors by the face and give them a good ol shake and tell them to stop penalizing students for being shitty in mediums they don't work with

[dipnots]

The Mysterious World of Mushrooms: From Edible Delights to Medicinal Wonders

One of the most intriguing secrets of nature is the world of mushrooms. These fascinating fungi can be found in nearly every habitat on Earth and come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. They are not only delicious to eat but also have many medicinal properties and play an important role in the ecosystem. One of the most well-known types of mushrooms is the edible mushroom. These…

[rebeccathenaturalist]

ETA: I wrote up a guide on clues that a foraging book was written by AI here!

[Original Tweet source here.]

[RANT AHEAD]

Okay, yeah. This is a very, very, very bad idea. I understand that there is a certain flavor of techbro who has ABSOLUTELY zero problem with this because "AI is the future, bro", and we're supposed to be reading their articles on how to use AI for side hustles and all that.

I get that ID apps have played into people's tendency to want quick and easy answers to everything (I'm not totally opposed to apps, but please read about how an app does not a Master Naturalist make.) But nature identification is serious stuff, ESPECIALLY when you are trying to identify whether something is safe to eat, handle, etc. You have to be absolutely, completely, 100000% sure of your ID, and then you ALSO have to absolutely verify that it is safely handled and consumed by humans.

As a foraging instructor, I cannot emphasize this enough. My classes, which are intended for a general audience, are very heavy on identification skills for this very reason. I have had (a small subsection of) students complain that I wasn't just spending 2-3 hours listing off bunches of edible plants and fungi, and honestly? They can complain all they want. I am doing MY due diligence to make very sure that the people who take my classes are prepared to go out and start identifying species and then figure out their edibility or lack thereof.

Because it isn't enough to be able to say "Oh, that's a dandelion, and I think this might be an oyster mushroom." It's also not enough to say "Well, such-and-such app says this is Queen Anne's lace and not poison hemlock." You HAVE to have incredibly keen observational skills. You HAVE to be patient enough to take thorough observations and run them through multiple forms of verification (field guides, websites, apps, other foragers/naturalists) to make sure you have a rock-solid identification. And then you ALSO have to be willing to read through multiple sources (NOT just Wikipedia) to determine whether that species is safely consumed by humans, and if so if it needs to be prepared in a particular way or if there are inedible/toxic parts that need to be removed.

AND--this phenomenon of AI-generated crapola emphasizes the fact that in addition to all of the above, you HAVE to have critical thinking skills when it comes to assessing your sources. Just because something is printed on a page doesn't mean it's true. You need to look at the quality of the information being presented. You need to look at the author's sources. You need to compare what this person is saying to other books and resources out there, and make sure there's a consensus.

You also need to look at the author themselves and make absolutely sure they are a real person. Find their website. Find their bio. Find their social media. Find any other manners in which they interact with the world, ESPECIALLY outside of the internet. Contact them. Ask questions. Don't be a jerk about it, because we're just people, but do at least make sure that a book you're interested in buying is by a real person. I guarantee you those of us who are serious about teaching this stuff and who are internet-savvy are going to make it very easy to find who we are (within reason), what we're doing, and why.

Because the OP in that Tweet is absolutely right--people are going to get seriously ill or dead if they try using AI-generated field guides. We have such a wealth of information, both on paper/pixels and in the brains of active, experienced foragers, that we can easily learn from the mistakes of people in the past who got poisoned, and avoid their fate. But it does mean that you MUST have the will and ability to be impeccably thorough in your research--and when in doubt, throw it out.

My inbox is always open. I'm easier caught via email than here, but I will answer. You can always ask me stuff about foraging, about nature identification, etc. And if there's a foraging instructor/author/etc. with a website, chances are they're also going to be more than willing to answer questions. I am happy to direct you to online groups on Facebook and elsewhere where you have a whole slew of people to compare notes with. I want people's foraging to be SAFE and FUN. And AI-generated books aren't the way to make that happen.

[chrollohearttags]

reiner braun is a man that knows everything! Not some Ivy League scholar or Harvard graduate but he was so smart. He’s the man that could easily identify four different types of cows whilst in passing if you see a pasture full of cows…even when the average person wouldn’t think of such a thing! “Well let’s just say I have a lot of experience..” He’s the man that could hear your car make the slightest sound and tell you what the issue is before you even have time to pop the hood.. “..you know that transmission is gonna go at any time..park that thing until I have time to fix it.” Hell, he could even tell you what a variety of herbal medicines that can be mixed in the event that you can't get to a pharmacy or otherwise. He could look at a plant and tell you if it were poisonous or if it could be useful. “..sorry, I know this stuff seems weird. I grew up on a farm with eight other kids and we were taught real young how ta’ search for herbs and stuff.” But perhaps the thing that he was most knowledgeable on..were all matters pertaining to your body. Sometimes, it seemed as if he knew them better than you knew yourself. He knew the things that made you tick, that turned you on and what made you fall apart in his grasp. Reiner could sense when you were needy..tensing up and whimpering at the slightest touch. He knows that you need to be placed in his lap and fingered slowly..in no rush to go anywhere and taking all the time in the world to bring you to your peak. His fingers bent right at your hilt as he shoved them knuckle deep and pressed that sensitive core. He can sense when you need that pretty little brain shut off and to be brought to a gushing orgasm.. “..keep yer’ legs parted, baby and I promise I’ll take care of you..” and he knows when you’re having a bad day and although he wants to handle you with the utmost care, he knows what you need more than anything, is a rough fuck. To be pounded into the mattress with a hand to the back of your neck and that plump ass ricocheting against him. Making you grasp the sheets and scream his name. Until the only tears you were crying were those of pure pleasure. Begging him to go deeper so that you couldn’t feel anything but him deep within you. Inflicting small amounts of pain in between just to really get you excited. That tightness swelling around him and you leaving all of your frustrations on those silk bed linens in a pool of juices. He knows you’re not going to stop, even if you’re overstimulated so he slows his strokes to a medium pace and lets you ride it out on his cock, for as long as you need to..

“It’s okay, darling. We can take all night if that’s what ya’ want. I always know what’s good for you.”

[johnwickistheworstmovie]

no you guys don’t get it; it’s so bad on tiktok. everyone on there is so insistent that foxface purposefully killed herself with the berries solely based off the two second clip in the movie (which wasn’t even identifying edible plants it was literally just matching).

like…… the whole point with foxface from the beginning was not to overestimate your competitors. when she talks about cato and foxface in the same passage she explicitly states that it’s just as dangerous to overestimate who you’re facing. in that she was thinking about how she might be overestimating cato’s intelligence, but then foxface goes and does the same with peeta. katniss constantly talked about how smart she was. she had made it to the final four solely off of taking from others just to keep herself alive. she had been doing it the entire games, but she trusted that peeta knew the berries he was grabbing. she probably didn’t even check to see what they looked like, because let’s be real. district five’s industry was ELECTRICITY. do you really think someone from the power district knows anything about edible plants? she saw the berries with the cheese and took some to fuel herself. because she assumed katniss and peeta were literally about to eat them. why on earth would she kill herself when she was three people away from winning? and if she knew they were poisonous and assumed katniss and peeta were about to eat them, she would’ve been final two. she could’ve waited for them to eat the berries, take katniss’s bow and arrows, and she would’ve had at least a fighting chance against cato. not to mention all the other districts HATE THE CAREERS. if she knew they were poisonous, decided to kill herself, and assumed katniss and peeta were going to eat them, that would’ve left cato as victor. there was no one else. she did not know they were poisonous. she overestimated peeta’s intelligence. it’s saying being stupid is dangerous for everyone.