Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - August 18, 2009
From: Aurora, MN
Region: Midwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Toxic effect of mulberry fruits and sap
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What would be the toxic effect of the unripe fruit of the mulberry tree or the white sap?ANSWER:
The Poisonous Plants of North Carolina database lists both the North American native Morus rubra (red mulberry) and the introduced Morus alba (white mulberry) as mildly toxic. The toxic parts are the unripe berries and the white sap from any part. The symptoms are hallucinations and stomach upset. This database says that it "causes only low toxicity if eaten". This is the only toxic plant database I could find, however, that listed it.Delena Tull in Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest says that the pollen of these two trees causes hay fever. She also says:
"Unripe fruit and milky sap can cause gastrointestinal distress and some toxicity...The sap can cause a skin rash."
L. A. Peterson in A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern and Central North America says about both species:
"Unripe fruit and raw shoots contain hallucinogens."
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Suitability of Carolina Cherry Laurel for Bulverde TX
October 24, 2012 - The local Home Depot is selling Carolina Cherry Laurel Trees. They look beautiful. Is this a good tree for Bulverde TX..20 miles north of San Antonio? Can it survive? Will it be a high maintenance...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for shade in Duval County, Florida
September 17, 2014 - What low growing ground cover would be good for a lake edge area. This area is shaded with overlying woodland type trees. I planted some autumn ferns but they have getting overrun with poison ivy. I a...
view the full question and answer
Trumpet flower side effects
July 06, 2005 - What happens if you eat a trumpet flower, what are the side effects and dangers?
view the full question and answer
Is the Magnolia 'Ann' safe for horses
May 14, 2010 - I bought a magnolia "ann". Will it hurt my horses to eat any part of it?
view the full question and answer
Poisonous thorn in Marion NC
May 16, 2010 - Yesterday my son got a thorn stuck in his foot. I removed it but his foot is still swollen and puffy today. What kind of plants have poisonous thorns?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |