The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Ghdp on August 03, 2016, 08:45:33 pm

Title: What is this?
Post by: Ghdp on August 03, 2016, 08:45:33 pm

Sorry cannot do photo but springing up under quite a few hedges is an odd (for us) plant. It stands about 6 inches tall and the top is a collection of bead like berries, starting off green and turning orange then bright red. Is this something that is poisonous to hens, dogs or anything else?
Should I remove it or celebrate it?

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: pgkevet on August 03, 2016, 08:56:50 pm

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/05/ac/7d/05ac7de17d0cfe895f3f1c3fadc41cba.jpg)

arum maculatum - poisonous

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on August 03, 2016, 11:37:19 pm

Remove it.

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: devonlady on August 04, 2016, 08:52:04 am

It looks like "Lords and Ladies" or Wild Arum. Yes, poisonous but dogs and livestock are unlikely to eat it, small children are!!

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on August 04, 2016, 11:29:10 am

Thanks for this i removed a load out of my ditches and under gorse at home. I think the red, bright colours usually do, indicate its poisonous to animals in the wild. Similar to the highly bright fungii in many ways. Does this mean that a lot of things brightly coloured in the wild are poisonous too, as I understand the brightness means danger, however the colours are very attractive and appealing to the human eye  :D sorry for the lecture and thanks for this at least now I know what it is.

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: pgkevet on August 04, 2016, 12:15:12 pm

Quote from: waterbuffalofarmer on August 04, 2016, 11:29:10 am

.....as I understand the brightness means danger, however the colours are very attractive and appealing to the human eye.....

Never eat (my) strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, cherries, plums, red apples etc....
Lots of poisonous stuff.. in varying degree. One of the worst is lilly of the valley - not that it looks edible. Cherry laurel is a classic (cyanide?) as are yew berries (taxins). Poisos may also be benficial if used correctly.. the obvious examples being opium=> morphine and foxgloves for heart drugs. Perriwinkle is another good one .. contains alkaloids for vincristine and vinblastine... both anticancer drugs.
You can find lists of the more common poisonous plants via google

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Ghdp on August 04, 2016, 05:01:38 pm

Thank you. That is exactly it. Pulling it up immediately.
Greg

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: YorkshireLass on August 05, 2016, 08:23:24 pm

I wouldn't panic, lots of common plants are poisonous and not many people come to harm

http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/arum_maculatum.htm (http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/arum_maculatum.htm)

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: devonlady on August 06, 2016, 09:57:46 am

And they are so lovely, both "in the green" and the berries. I don't know for sure but I dare say something relies on them for food.
Just watch toddlers! I remember a two year old Raven assuring me "No, they're not poison, dear"

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Ghdp on August 06, 2016, 05:42:26 pm

With holiday makers (with children) using the grounds I feel removal is best!!

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: devonlady on August 06, 2016, 07:14:55 pm

Ah, right. Very wise!

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Ghdp on August 06, 2016, 09:20:29 pm

But I agree it is (was) beautiful