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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - October 22, 2015
From: Spruce Grove, AB
Region: Canada
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Do Delphiniums Transfer Toxins to Strawberries?
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
Is it safe to eat strawberries grown beside delphiniums?ANSWER:
The USDA has a good information page on their Poisonous Plant Research page about Delphiniums and Larkspurs in relation to consumption by livestock.
Plants are most toxic during early growth, but toxicity gradually declines over the growing season. However, toxin levels may increase in the flowers and pods even late in the season. The toxic substances are mixtures of several alkaloids. These alkaloids and their relative toxicity and concentrations vary between individual plants, at different locations and between larkspur species. The method of toxicity has been identified as neuro-muscular paralysis, leading to respiratory failure, bloat and often death.
All parts of all larkspur species are poisonous, but new growth and the seeds contain the highest concentrations of toxic substances.
In Volume 49, Issue 10 of Clinical Toxicology, El Rachid and others write on page 949: Human delphinium poisoning is exceptional. The only case in the literature was reported in 1996. After the intake of 1 gram of Delphinium root, a teenager presented ventricular tachycardia and convulsions. The lack of human clinical cases does not allow us to compare these symptoms to other studies.
So the literature shows no instance of toxins being transfered from the Delphinium to the strawberries, since the Nova Scotia Museum says there is a very potent toxin in the sap, flowers, seeds and leaves of the Delphinium, it would be wise not to take the chance of cross contamination and include a buffer between the plants.
From the Image Gallery
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Reaction to something in the garden from Dowling MI
May 25, 2012 - In late March I was working in my yard raking etc. The next morning I had three black spots between my knee and shin that were swelling and feverish. Two days later the areas became bigger and began...
view the full question and answer
Identification of shrub with red berries in Tennessee
January 24, 2014 - Hello,
I've got a shrub in my backyard; it has leaves off in groups of 3 and it has multiple reddish berries in groups by the dozens. I'm not sure what plant it is. The shrub is stick-like and appr...
view the full question and answer
Privacy shrubs and trees that are safe for horses in California
June 16, 2012 - What type of privacy shrubs/trees can I plant that are safe around horses? I live in the central valley in CA. Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Is the Texas buckeye as poisonous as the Ohio buckeye from Carrollton TX
April 10, 2011 - Is the Texas buckeye as poisonous as Ohio Buckeye?
view the full question and answer
Transplanting adventitious shoots of a mountain laurel in San Antonio
August 20, 2009 - Is it possible to transplant branches (shoots) growing from a mountain laurel that was chopped down? Some are two years old and several feet tall (but not yet blooming) and some as small as a foot. ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |