Eat Your Hostas
We Westerners usually grow hostas as ornamental plants, but did you know that they are also edible? In Japan, someContinue Reading
Category: Poisonous Plants
Chestnut or Horse Chestnut?
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire: thus begins Nat King Cole’s classic Christmas song. One has to hope that theyContinue Reading
The World’s Most Dangerous Shrub
The gympie-gympie (Dendrocnide moroides), from the tropical jungles of Australia, is considered to be the most dangerous shrub in theContinue Reading
Yes, You Can Compost Poisonous Leaves
As you harvest your rhubarb stalks this spring, you’ll find several websites warning you against putting the leaves in theContinue Reading
Castor Bean: the Fast Way to a Tropical Look
With its enormous palmate leaves and huge height (some cultivars can reach 10 feet/3 m!), castor bean (Ricinus communis) isContinue Reading
No, Poinsettias Aren’t Poisonous
It’s that time of year again. As our favorite Christmas plant, the poinsettia, starts to pop up in stores everywhere,Continue Reading