# Are nightshade berries poisonous? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 15, 2000, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419 "2000-08-15T12:27:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kyberneticist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kyberneticist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyberneticist)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2000, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/21 "2000-08-16T17:03:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LazarusLong42 \* > \*\*As far as eating something like this, though… well, for an example, let’s take Queen Anne’s Lace, and Wild Hemlock. The first is also known as a wild carrot, and in fact the root looks very much like a tiny carrot. The latter was part of the concotion Socrates drank when he was forced to commit suicide. > > The two plants to the untrained eye look identical, except for a red or black dot in the middle of the flower of one of them. I can never remember which one. Needless to say, if I’m ever trapped in the wilderness, I’ll be staying away from the carrots. 😃 > LL \*\* From what I’ve heard, the name “Queen Anne’s Lace” stems from the tiny drop of blood on the flower where the lacemaker pricked themselves with a needle. That would probably make the one with the dot the safe one. Just a guess though, I no longer have my cool little wilderness survival book with its list of edible and poisonous North American plants (and how to cook 'em) ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2000, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/22 "2000-08-16T17:46:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by javaman \* > It’s worth keeping in mind that the class of drugs found in the plants of the nightshade family are therapeutically valuable when used under medical direction, or in very mild preparations. But they can definitely be dangerous if you use them for kicks. The threshold LD is not much more than it takes to get some people high. Yeah, an acquaintance of mine tried eating jimson weed seeds (like [this kid](http://www.unsolvedmysteries.com/usm16240.html) did). Immediately after eating, he peed his pants, and lost the use of his legs. He stayed like this for three days, dragging himself around his apartment. The dummy thought this was cool! Wanted to try it again, but didn’t know if he could afford another three days off from work. Sheesh. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doobieous \* > For instance, with Solanum seaforthianum (Brazilian Nightshade), the bright red berries are edible to birds. Do you mean to tell me that all those lost-in-the-jungle novels that I read as a kid weren’t, uh, dispensing reliable advice when the hero only ate the same berries that the birds did? Dang! There goes my nuclear holocaust survival strategy. ---
**Author:** ![SqrlCub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SqrlCub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SqrlCub)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2000, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/23 "2000-08-16T18:15:09Z")
Whoops, I should have added that disclaimer, javaman. Although, I would add that careful shamanic preparation and supervision would also be alright as they have been doing that type of things for hundreds/thousands of years. HUGS! Sqrl ---
**Author:** ![Anonymously](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Anonymously](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymously)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/24 "2016-07-04T04:16:20Z")
Across the street from where I live there are a few trees that have berries that become a deep purple when ripe. They tend to ripen mid to late June every year. I am sure that these trees are not a nightshade because these are reasonably large trees and the berries are the same size and shape as blueberries. I do often see various birds eat these berries and I have asked many people about them. I have been told by many people that these berries are very poisonous although they do not know what they are. So I at least know that I am to avoid them but is there any way I can find out what kind of poisonous berries these are? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/25 "2016-07-04T04:39:23Z")
> [@Anonymously](#): > > Across the street from where I live there are a few trees that have berries that become a deep purple when ripe. They tend to ripen mid to late June every year. I am sure that these trees are not a nightshade because these are reasonably large trees and the berries are the same size and shape as blueberries. I do often see various birds eat these berries and I have asked many people about them. I have been told by many people that these berries are very poisonous although they do not know what they are. So I at least know that I am to avoid them but is there any way I can find out what kind of poisonous berries these are? Post a picture here along with a picture of the leaves. If the picture is decent, we should be able to ID them. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/26 "2016-07-04T05:32:27Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Post a picture here along with a picture of the leaves. If the picture is decent, we should be able to ID them. You can’t actually post a picture on these boards. You’ll need to post it to another website and then give us the link. We’ll also need a location. Where are you Brazil, Sudan, New Zealand? ---
**Author:** ![Anonymously](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Anonymously](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymously)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/27 "2016-07-04T05:48:41Z")
I am in Toronto Ontario Canada. The berries look exactly like blueberries except they are a deep purple when ripe. The not quite ripe berries are red in color. Several berries hang in each cluster. The trees have multiple trunks and the bark is sort of smooth and a light gray color. Every year the berries ripen in mid to late June then shrivel up and fall off around the first or second week of July. The leaves are oval in shape. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/28 "2016-07-04T06:06:02Z")
> [@Anonymously](#): > > I am in Toronto Ontario Canada. The berries look exactly like blueberries except they are a deep purple when ripe. The not quite ripe berries are red in color. Several berries hang in each cluster. The trees have multiple trunks and the bark is sort of smooth and a light gray color. Every year the berries ripen in mid to late June then shrivel up and fall off around the first or second week of July. The leaves are oval in shape. From that description (and your location), my best guess would be some species of Amelanchier (‘June berry’). June berries are edible and tasty. **DO NOT go eating these berries just on the basis of this post.** Your description is sketchy. My ID is not definitive. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymously](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Anonymously](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymously)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/29 "2016-07-04T06:42:10Z")
I have no intention of ever eating these berries, even if the tree would happen to be an ‘Amelanchier’ as it is always better to be safe than sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/30 "2016-07-04T06:58:14Z")
I’m interested to know if I guessed right. Do they look anything like [these](https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=saskatoon+berry&espv=2&biw=1281&bih=615&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjMjNy-ndnNAhWFtBQKHVsMDQ4Q_AUIBigB&dpr=1)? ---
**Author:** ![Anonymously](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Anonymously](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymously)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/31 "2016-07-04T11:53:57Z")
Yes! The berries and leaves look just like this. ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e47774/32.png) [@quiltguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/32 "2016-07-04T12:47:48Z")
> [@Anonymously](#): > > Across the street from where I live there are a few trees that have berries that become a deep purple when ripe. They tend to ripen mid to late June every year. I am sure that these trees are not a nightshade because these are reasonably large trees and the berries are the same size and shape as blueberries. I do often see various birds eat these berries and I have asked many people about them. I have been told by many people that these berries are very poisonous although they do not know what they are. So I at least know that I am to avoid them but is there any way I can find out what kind of poisonous berries these are? The up-threaders are correct, those are Amelanchier trees and berries, also known as Shadblow, Serviceberry, Sarvisberry, and a few other names. Tasty in quantity, if ripe, but better cooked somehow: stewed; made into jelly; baked in pies. Their time is over for the year, if you see any berries now they might be covered with the Cedar/Apple Rust. 1/8" “prickles” all over the berries, that release a cloud of spores if touched. Better wait for next year. As you might imagine amelanchier trees are hated by apple growers, since they are a host for that rust. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymously](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Anonymously](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymously)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/33 "2016-07-04T14:00:06Z")
Thanks for the info. It seems to be a match to what people on this board are saying. Nevertheless, I will not eat these berries because everyone I know says they are poisonous. These trees are a lot smaller than the oaks and maples found in the city and there are quite many of these ‘Amalchiers’ trees throughout the city. And I have never seen any people ever eating or picking them. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/34 "2016-07-04T14:21:29Z")
On the other hand, I’ve had people tell me, in all earnestness, that mulberries are poisonous. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/35 "2016-07-04T14:51:04Z")
> [@Anonymously](#): > > Thanks for the info. It seems to be a match to what people on this board are saying. Nevertheless, I will not eat these berries because everyone I know says they are poisonous. It is highly likely that everyone you know is a moron. You could send photos (including closeups) to your equivalent of a state horticultural extension service to confirm that they’re serviceberries. Then you could have a great time picking and eating these highly tasty fruit (I enjoy ours fresh (reminiscent of blueberries but with a taste all their own) and they make great muffins. One of the most popular serviceberries here is [“Autumn Brilliance”](http://www.prettypurpledoor.com/a-tree-for-all-seasons-the-autumn-brilliance-serviceberry/) which in some years crops heavily. I’d bet most people are wary of eating the fruit just from lack of familiarity with it. ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e47774/32.png) [@quiltguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/36 "2016-07-04T20:49:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > On the other hand, I’ve had people tell me, in all earnestness, that mulberries are poisonous. Not poisonous, just tragic if you have washing hanging on clotheslines outdoors. A few passing birds who had consumed mulberries, jettisoning waste on freshly-laundered sheets, always made my very good-natured MIL see red(or rather, purple) :eek: ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/37 "2016-07-04T23:16:36Z")
> [@](#): > > So should we not be able to assume that if a plant produces a berry, that the berry (when ripe) should be edible? a lot of plants try quite hard to get only specific birds to eat their fruits and sometimes only at certain times of the year. If you’re a bush looking to spread your seeds far and wide, getting a bird that is migrating halfway across the globe to eat the fruits is probably going to work better than getting a mouse who won’t travel more than 15 feet to eat it. Not to mention that since the digestive tracts of birds and mammals are very different, if the seed needs to survive the digestive process it might need to be designed differently for birds and mammals to eat. Bright red berries are usually trying to get birds to eat them because most mammals are red/green colorblind and can’t distinguish them from the surrounding foliage, but birds have outstanding color vision. Most birds have limited taste buds and other than vultures they have practically no sense of smell, so spices, poisons, and smells (and thorns) are often used by plants to repel mammals from eating their fruits and foliage. Most modern fruits farmed by humans have been extensively genetically modified through breeding. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2016, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/38 "2016-07-05T10:58:15Z")
This is a very old zombie, but I often get “black nightshade” plants coming up in my vegetable patch. The foliage looks a bit like peppers, and they have white flowers followed by black berries. The photo on this page is of the same plant I get: [http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1485335/sunberries-or-some-other-poisonous-nightshade-berries](http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1485335/sunberries-or-some-other-poisonous-nightshade-berries) That is _Solanum nigrum_ and the berries are apparently edible, although I haven’t tried them. They are used to make jam in some places I believe. Deadly nightshade has purple flowers. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2016, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/39 "2016-07-05T11:40:09Z")
Sounds like what I grow as garden Huckleberry. I bought the seeds from a garden store so I know they’re edible. Uncooked, the berries taste kind of like tomato but when cooked with some lemon or citric acid they flavor up and make a nice jam. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2016, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419/40 "2016-07-05T11:51:44Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Sounds like what I grow as garden Huckleberry. I bought the seeds from a garden store so I know they’re edible. Uncooked, the berries taste kind of like tomato but when cooked with some lemon or citric acid they flavor up and make a nice jam. Wikipedia says that [garden huckleberry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_nigrum) is a synonym for black nightshade, but other pages say that it is _Solanum melanocerasum_. Yet others call it _Solanum nigrum_ var _melanocerasum_. It seems that the nomenclature of these plants is pretty confused. Either way, I now have the confidence to try these berries (if I can find any this year!) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419.md?page=3)