5 Poisonous Berries You Might Be Growing in Your Garden

Although berries are a lovely addition to the garden because of their vibrant colors, some of the juicy fruits actually turn out to be poisonous berries.

Poisonous Berries in the Garden

Many wild berries are delectable and safe to consume, but some should be avoided. Some berries contain poisonous substances that might have unpleasant or even fatal adverse effects.

Even though their toxicity has been established, several of these shrubs are so frequently cultivated for aesthetic reasons that home gardeners choose to incorporate them in the garden.

Whether or not the home gardener chooses to plant these deadly berries as a decorative item, experts advise to err on the side of caution, particularly if the household includes young children or pets.

#1 Holly Berries

Holly is at its most lovely in the winter, with stunning berries and glossy evergreen leaves. These tiny berries do, however, contain the poison saponin, which can result in nausea, vomiting, and pains in the stomach.

#2 Mistletoe

On the branches of trees and shrubs, mistletoe grows as a parasite. Although the mistletoe's white berries are poisonous to humans, other species including deer, elk, squirrels, chipmunks, and porcupines prefer them in the fall and winter when other food sources are sparse. The berries are consumed by numerous bird species, including mourning doves, bluebirds, chickadees, and robins.

This well-known Christmas shrub has white berries that are poisonous due to a substance called phoratoxin. Kidney, brain, and adrenal gland toxicity are possible side effects, along with gastrointestinal problems, and a slow heartbeat (bradycardia).

#3 Jerusalem Cherries

This tiny shrub up to 1 m tall is frequently grown for ornamental purposes, particularly as a pot plant. It is also often known as Christmas orange but produces yellow-red berries with solanine, a substance that can result in stomach cramps, gastrointestinal illnesses, and an erratic heartbeat. An incident of death has been reported in Australia.

#4 Bittersweet Nightshade

The bittersweet nightshade is a vine-like plant related to potatoes and tomatoes, which has a stem that is often used to make medicine because it can reduce inflammation.

Bittersweet nightshade, however, has toxic leaves and berries. This plant's berries, sometimes known as woody nightshade, contain solanine. They have effects that are comparable to Jerusalem cherries.

#5 Pokeweed Berries

There are two native species of pokeweed in North America; one can be found throughout much of the continent, and the other is only found in California as well as the southwest. A few tropical species were either mistakenly introduced through imported goods or deliberately as ornamentals. The roots, stem, leaves, and fruit of these purple berries, which resemble grapes, are poisonous.

As the plant ages, its toxicity tends to increase, and ingesting the berries can be lethal.

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Foraging Berries in the Wild

Other lethal berries can be found in the wild. Some poisonous berries even resemble those that are edible.

Due to this, extreme caution must be used when gathering wild berries. It's advised to stay away from wild berries when in doubt.

Knowing what to look for and being able to spot common dangerous berries are both crucial.

Yellow, white, and green berries should be avoided by inexperienced foragers since they are frequently hazardous. although green berries may be young blackberries and raspberries. Red berries have a 50/50 chance of being poisonous, with clusters being riskier than individual berries.

With a few obvious exceptions, aggregate berries like raspberries and blackberries are generally harmless. Plants with spines are another item to watch out for. Spines are a bad indicator, but thorns are acceptable. Plants that smell bitter or have milky sap are advising you to be careful.