[Old Shep]

does anyone know what these red berry type things are and whether they are poisonous.  They grow under hedges, the leaves are not part of the plant they are just berries on a softish hollow stalk.  thank you

[darkbrowneggs]

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

[Old Shep]

thank you dark brown eggs!  just googling now to see if it could kill a sheep - we found one dead next to this plant, the sheep was well up until it was dead (not uncommon I know).

[darkbrowneggs]

Loads of it round where I live and I kept sheep for about 20 or so years   Never noticed any problems 

[jaykay]

It's cuckoo pint/lords and ladies/jack by the hedge - ie Arum maculatum.

In autumn the lower ring of (female) flowers forms a cluster of bright red berries which remain after the spathe and other leaves have withered away. These attractive red to orange berries are extremely poisonous. The berries contain oxalates of saponins which have needle-shaped crystals which irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, and result in swelling of throat, difficulty breathing, burning pain, and upset stomach. However, their acrid taste coupled with the almost immediate tingling sensation in the mouth when consumed mean that large amounts are rarely taken and serious harm is unusual. It is one of the most common causes of accidental plant poisoning based on attendance at hospital A & E departments.[3]

[Foobar]

They will spread readily, so I pull mine up when they start to grow in the spring.  Also if I see any berries like that I pull those too, they come out easily (wear gloves!).
If a sheep is feeling particularly stupid it might try one, or if there is no other food available.