Plant ID. Uk woodlands (1 Viewer)

[Will K]

Always wondered what these are. Small, UK woodlands, about 6 inches high, normally in groups of two or three.

Know the name?

 

[Butty]

Wild arum, cuckoo pint, lords-and-ladies... choose your preferred name.

 

[Will K]

Thanks!

I always knew that they were poisonous. The name escaped me however.

 

[Butty]

Are they? Dunno. Just one of the many many things I wouldn't think about eating - and most of such things are simply not worth eating or not pleasant to eat, rather than making you ill or dead.

 

[aeshna5]

Are they? Dunno. Just one of the many many things I wouldn't think about eating - and most of such things are simply not worth eating or not pleasant to eat, rather than making you ill or dead.

Very much poisonous!

 

[Richard D]

Not technically poisonous, but contains crystals that are a severe irritant and are likely to cause swelling of the mouth and throat and will irritate the digestive system badly.

 

[THE_FERN]

crystals

Out of interest, of what—silica?

 

[Richard D]

Out of interest, of what—silica?

oxalate

 

[Will K]

Like most kids, I probably categorised it in terms of 'edible' / 'inedible' at an early age and never gave it another thought.

 

[Xenospiza]

oxalate

More precisely, sharp calcium oxalate crystals called raphides – something you definitely should not ingest in large quantities.
The berries also contain saponins which are toxic. Luckily they taste really bad.
Parts of the plant can be eaten if prepared correctly. Not a risk you should want to take.