Ah, I found a nightshade (Solanum nigrum) growing in my guerrilla garden! This poisonous plant contains solanine, an alkaloid that can kill you if eaten. This species is not native, but it is naturalized now so its not invasive. Someone may tell me Well you have to get rid of it; its poisonous, its bad! and I would tell them Nope! This plant may be poisonous, and may have no obvious use to me. There may be small risk of ingestion seeing as I have edible berries about 4 feet away from this plant. Small potential for mistake seeing as I have a little brother and a young niece and nephew who come over and play in the yard. But this plant isnt BAD. It has taught me a lot in the few days I have known it. The only time I would consider a plant BAD is when it becomes invasive (like the burning bushes all over my yard, the bane of my foraging existence). I will teach those who come to my garden about this plant, and to watch out for it, and be respectful. But just because this plant is poisonous does not make it bad; just respect its boundaries, and ask yourself; how can you relate this post and plant to other aspects of your life?
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 21:46:06 +0000
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