Green holly berries ...
I just looked at all the berries on the holly trees around our place and remembered that they’re poisonous:
… the berries are poisonous to people and pets. Swallowing holly berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and drowsiness. Children have had symptoms after swallowing as few as two holly berries.
Holly leaves might also cause symptoms if eaten but, because they are prickly, children usually leave them alone.
The puppy loves playing with the leaves for some unknown reason - she loves a prickly challenge !
Another thing I will have to look out for when walking around outside…
While telling @pennsif about this (he knew as well of course), he kept on saying ‘what was it ‘ilex’ ? So I took that as a hint and checked the Latin name for holly, ‘ilex ’.
One thing I noticed from anecdotal experience and you can see in the photo above is that not all the leaves are prickly.
This National Geographic article explains why. I now need to check again, but that area does not get sheep or other animals nibbling at holly leaves - there’s too much grassland and other plants to go for to activate the tree’s protective response.
@cryptocariad
Hollies are interesting. Most contain caffeine but as you said the toxins inside will make you sick. Though a few of the hollies do not contain these toxins, like yerba mate, guayusa and yaupon hollies.
The last one I personally grow and have steeped tea out of the the leaves. It is for sure psychoactive like tea and coffee is but has a very earthy taste similar to yerba mate.
I haven't had mate for years, @solominer... you've reminded now :D
@cryptocariad
hah yeah a friend of mine came over one day with one of those metal straws for the drink and I instantly knew what he was drinking.
Plants seem to be laden generally with berries and hips and other fruits. The hips are amazing - very fat and very brightly coloured. I think you did a post about them recently?
That's right, @shanibeer. The 'cherry-tomato-looking' hips I photographed were actually in a car park in Aberaeron; they were from cultivated roses I think. I'm looking forward to seeing these holly berries when they turn red :)
Wow that is amazing how much the holly responds to grazers to protect itself. and nice photos :) you will have to return again when they turn red
I certainly will, @steven-patrick :D
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