Can anyone recommend a reliable source for checking plant toxicity to humans (children) for use on school grounds and public parks? I am in particular searching out this information on symphoricarpus X chenaultii, which has been recommended for use near a school ground and amongst other edible berried species such as salal, thus the concern. I know the native coastal symphoricarpus spp are considered toxic, but not sure about this charmer. thanks
Hi tlpenner, There are several good databases of poisonous plants on the internet, but I did not find info on the toxicity of that particular plant. Paghat the Ratgirl mentions the likelyhood of mild toxicity. The Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System warn about danger of Symphoricarpos albus to children especially, but state that serious poisoning is unlikely, because of vomiting. Some other sites: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/ http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm http://www.cfc-efc.ca/docs/cccf/rs029_en.htm http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/publications/poison/poison.html
Regarding common snowberry, Pojar/Mackinnon report that "The white, waxy-looking berries are considered poisonous by aboriginal peoples. They are given names like 'corpse berry' or 'snake berry' in several languages. One Stl'atl'imx story identifies the berries as 'the saskatoon berries of the people in the Land of the Dead.' However, one or two berries were eaten by the Stl'atl'imx to settle the stomach after too much fatty food." On the other hand, S. Facciola (Cornucopia II) claims "The fruits are eaten or made into jelly. They are white, juicy, somewhat acid and have an aromatic wintergreen flavor."
