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Mountain View News Saturday, February 28, 2026 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges

 Nyerges is the author of “Foraging California,” and “Testing Your Outdoor Survival Skills” 
(both of which have sections on mushrooms). For info on his many books and classes, he can 
be reached at Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA, or www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com 

SOME POISONOUS PLANTS 

[Nyerges is an ethnobotanist who has taught field trips since 1974. He has written several foraging 
books, including “Guide to Wild Foods.” He can be reached at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.
com.]

The diverse chemistry of 
the natural world makes many plants good to 
eat, but others

 not so good to eat. Some can get you verysick and kill you if you eat them. This is why 
you should never eat any wild plant until you 
have positively identified it as an edible species. 
Here is a selection of some of the common 
poisonous plants that may grow near 
you. Most are found in the wild, and some are 
found in your backyard. And there are many, 
many others besides these listed here. 

POISON HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum)
This European native is now pretty common 
in North America, and just a little bit can kill 
you! This is the plant that Socrates-fame. 
This plant is in the parsley/carrot family, and 
so it has an appearance of an edible plant. 
Whether cooked in soup, or added to salad, 
the result is vomiting, diarrhea, paralysis, Poison hemlock is common along our local streams. It 
weak pulse, and convulsions. Death can occur looks like an Italian parsley, and the stalk is covered in 


as quickly as an hour after eating this ferny-purple blotches. Deadly if eaten 
looking plant. 


CASTOR BEAN (Ricinus communis)
This is a tropical plant that is found all over the South and western states. It 
used to be planted for its oil for both commercial and industrial uses, and now 
is very common in the wild. The seeds are attractive and sometimes used in 
jewelry, and when someone chews on the seed, it only takes a dozen or less to 
cause death. This is the source of the poison ricin, which is most concentrated in the seed. Ingestion 
of the seed causes cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and convulsions. Death can result in 24 to 48 hours if 
enough seeds were consumed. 

TREE TOBACCO (Nicotiana glauca)
This plant is a native to South America, and can now be found in the southern, southwestern, and 
western states. In the young stages, it has been confused for either collard greens or pokeweed, cooked 
and eaten. The result is vomiting, diarrhea, irregular pulse, shaking, muscle convulsions, and general 
weakness – nothing pleasant. Death can occur though death appears to be rare. 

JIMSONWEED (Datura wrightii and D. stramonium)
Jimsonweed is regarded as sacred herb among native peoples of the west, having been used for centuries 
in ceremonies. 
Jimsonweed makes the news all too frequently because some high school boys wanted a cheap way 
to get high. They either smoke it, or drink it, or eat it, either the leaves or the flowers, but the result is 
always the same. It results in incoherency, delirium, temporary blindness, dry mouth, vomiting, and 
nausea. Death is rare. Such teens who are foolish enough to do this nearly all end up hospitalized for 
awhile. One recently reported “It was the worst experience of my life.” 

OLEANDER (Nerium oleander)
The common oleander shrub is another plant which is widespread and periodically causes death. The 
plant requires little maintenance and produces pretty pink and white flowers. Thus, it is commonly 
planted along highways, around parks, and in picnic areas. Poisonings have occurred with oleander 
when campers used the slender branches for roasting hot dogs or marshmallows. The oils from the 
oleander enter the hot dog with the possible result being severe sickness and even death. A single leaf 
is said to be sufficient to kill an adult. 

ANGEL OF DEATH MUSHROOM (Amanita ocreata)
Ah, mushrooms! First, don’t eat any wild mushrooms until you have studied mycology actively for at 
least two years. Yes, there are many good edible wild mushrooms, and you want to be able to positively 
recognize them, and don’t eat a poisonous one by mistake. This mushroom, Angel of Death, is one of 
the deadly Amanitas. It is distinguished by having white gills (and white spores), a stout white stem, a 
ring on the stem, and a membranous cup around the base of the stem. If you consume this, death is 
slow, painful, and sure, even if you get medical attention. Death can take about a week after ingestion. 

No, this is NOT a complete list of all the poisonous plants of North America. Don’t eat any wild plant 
for food unless you’ve positively identified it! 


MEET SUNNY RAY 

– A GENTLE SOUL 
IN NEED OF SOME 
LUCK 
Sunny Ray is a sweet, young,
and gorgeous boy, age almost2 years, fully vetted, neutered, and healthy. Sunny is a quiet, gentle soul who will letyou pet him, but he’s a little unsure how to show affection. He’s been residing at ourpartner boarding facility where he has a cage with an open door, but he prefers tostay in his cage. Although he receives lots of attention and affection, he really needsa calm, patient home—or a loving foster, to continue toblossom. We think he would be fine with another youngcat or kitten to play with and help draw him out.
Could you be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbowto help this shy sweetheart find his confidence? He’s tooyoung to spend the rest of his life not knowing how to loveand be loved. Please submit your application to meet himand we’ll reply quickly. Go directly to his biopic page athttps://www.lifelineforpets.org/sunny-ray.html, or use theqr code. 


Pet of the Week 

Six-year-old Boda is a big lovebug just waiting tomake a big impression on someone’s heart. Thishandsome guy greets the world with a softnessthat quickly transforms into the happiest full-
body wiggles. He’s easy to leash, confident, andwhile he’s definitely strong (one of the strongestpups around!), he’s also surprisingly polite. 

In the yard, Boda’s playful side really shines. Heloves to chase toys and then bring them rightback and place them gently at your feet like aperfect gentleman. He knows “sit” like a pro,
offers an enthusiastic “shake,” and even takesbreaks by flopping down at your feet with his toyfor a quick breather. He loves people and settles 
easily when it’s time for a nice break. 

Boda may be a big ol’ guy (with a little drool toprove it!), but he’s also an easygoing, confidentsweetheart who’s ready for his forever home. If you’re looking for a playful,
affectionate best friend with great manners and an even bigger heart, come meetBoda and see why he’s such a good boy. 


The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip,
and age-appropriate vaccines. 

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos ofadoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. 

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCAAnimal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to carefor your pet.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters byphone calls or email. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com