tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post4142951347422357939..comments2024-03-22T20:11:44.673-04:00Comments on Saratoga woods and waterways: The Eater BunnyJacqueline Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13390548854179921303noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post-75937100773555419612009-04-10T10:12:00.000-04:002009-04-10T10:12:00.000-04:00I justed looked 'em both up online and was about t...I justed looked 'em both up online and was about to print a retraction here, but I see you beat me to it! <BR/><BR/>That's the problem with common names. There are a number of plants I learned early in my career that turn out not to be what I had been told they were. This is a classic example. We were out in a field gathering corn stalks for a Maize Maze and encountered horse nettles, which I was told was "deadly nightshade." Years later I reencountered the plant, and when I looked it up, it was horse nettles. Until this moment, I figured my memory was of two separate plants...it all goes to prove that one cannot rely on one's memory!Ellen Rathbonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684750034177425795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post-23817465614587716842009-04-09T17:35:00.000-04:002009-04-09T17:35:00.000-04:00Deadly Nightshade, also called Belladonna, is a Eu...Deadly Nightshade, also called Belladonna, is a European plant and a source of Atropine. I don't think it grows around here. We have Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), somewhat poisonous but doesn't taste good. It has beautiful purple flowers and berries from green through yellow, orange and red (see my photo of it on the right). Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) has tiny white flowers and black fruits smaller than a cherry and tasty. (I suppose they could sicken you if eaten in great quantities or if you're allergic.) Relatives include Clammy and Smooth Ground Cherry (good to eat), Horse Nettle (prickly), and Tomatoes, Peppers. Eggplants and Potatoes. The Enchanter's Nightshades are in the Evening Primrose family and not related at all.Jacqueline Donnellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13390548854179921303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post-1905065389449191312009-04-09T16:02:00.000-04:002009-04-09T16:02:00.000-04:00I'd avoid Deadly Nightshade at all costs (which ma...I'd avoid Deadly Nightshade at all costs (which may be the same as Enchanter's Nightshade; I can't find the former in Newcomb's). But keep in mind that potatoes (as well as tomatoes) are also in the same family, so they can't all be bad. The big key is to MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE you know what you are picking before you eat it!<BR/><BR/>I also wanted to let you know that I see now why you were so adamant about me protecting my new trees/shrubs! :) Fencing - and a dog - the only way to go!Ellen Rathbonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684750034177425795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post-78404556029059219312009-04-08T12:04:00.000-04:002009-04-08T12:04:00.000-04:00Kristine, I am SO happy you stopped by with your c...Kristine, I am SO happy you stopped by with your comment, which gave me access to your wonderful natural gardening site www.thattimeofyeargardening.com<BR/>I'll be visiting often, even though I've almost decided to revert to my policy of benign neglect about gardening. "Bringing Nature Home" was my inspiration to plant some native plants; some of the herbaceous ones seem to have survived the winter.<BR/><BR/>Re:nightshade berries. I've heard that Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) may be poisonous, but I've eaten them all my life -- just one or two at a time -- to no apparent ill effect. They are very sweet and tomatoey tasting. Maybe like their cousin the tomato once was, they have been maligned. Or maybe, like King Mithridates who ate tiny doses of poison to guard against plotters, I've developed a tolerance.Jacqueline Donnellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13390548854179921303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post-9212678900116871392009-04-08T11:10:00.000-04:002009-04-08T11:10:00.000-04:00so are nightshade berries eatable? i thought they ...so are nightshade berries eatable? i thought they were poisonous.<BR/>and yes, we all love those little critters until they eat what was not meant for them to eat...have you tried red pepper as a deterrent?Kristinehttp://thattimeofyeargardening.comnoreply@blogger.com