Tag Archives: poisonous

Pencil cactus is an interesting but poisonous houseplant

Posted on March 17, 2020 by tedmanzer

I get a lot of questions about poisonous plants. Many species, both interior, and exterior can contain poisonous chemicals. Most aren’t a major concern. In fact, many of our common houseplants are considered poisonous, but they are found everywhere. Often, … Continue reading →

Posted in general nature | Tagged Euphorbia tirucalli, latex, no thorns, pencil cactus, poisonous, skin irritant | 4 Comments

Fatsherdera is a versatile artificial cross

Posted on November 12, 2019 by tedmanzer

I guess you could call it a GMO. The plant is an artificial combination of two entirely different plants. They are in the same family but not even in the same genus, let alone the same species. It is a … Continue reading →

Posted in general nature | Tagged ball-shaped clusters of white flowers, bush ivy, Fatshedera, Fatsia, Hedera, intergeneric cross, non-invasive, poisonous, pollution tolerant, salt spray tolerant, shiny leaves | 1 Comment

Jimsonweed is another poisonous plant in the potato family

Posted on June 11, 2019 by tedmanzer

Last week I wrote about angel trumpet, an ornamental plant in the potato family. Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) is a very close relative and a weedy plant some people think is attractive enough to be used that way. In fact, numerous … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged alkaloids, Angel trumpet, annual, atropine, Datura stramonium, devil's snare, jimsonweed, poisonous, potato family, southern US, spiny seed pod, weedy plant | 2 Comments

Angel trumpets love the summer heat

Posted on June 10, 2019 by tedmanzer

We’ve had some beastly hot weather recently, and many landscape plants are suffering. One that isn’t is angel trumpet (Brugmansia sp.), a member of the potato family. Angel trumpet plants grow to the size of a large shrub, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Angel trumpet, Brugmansia, butterflies, full sun, huge flowers, hummingbirds, poisonous, potato family, rich moist soil, stem cuttings | 3 Comments

Comfrey is a plant of many misconceptions

Posted on April 25, 2019 by tedmanzer

Pick up any book on poisonous plants and comfrey will be in it. It is an old-time herb that has been used for centuries for various things. Some folks eat it. Some make tea. Some make topical medicines from it. … Continue reading →

Posted in foraging | Tagged allantoin, composting materials, herbal oils, long taproots, medicinal herb, perennial herb, poisonous, pollinators, purple flowers, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, Symphytum officinale comfrey, topical medications, wet places | 3 Comments

Lily of the valley is a blast from my past

Posted on April 9, 2019 by tedmanzer

When I was young, my grandfather had a huge patch of these tiny fragrant white flowers all around his house. I used to pick them and place them in jars to bring some aroma inside. Nobody ever cautioned me about … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged adapted to northern areas, asparagus family, bloom in spring, Convallaria majalis, cool weather, cup-like white flowers, few disease and insect pests, indoor environments, lily of the valley, perennial, poisonous, very fragrant | 3 Comments

Carolina jessamine provides winter color and privacy

Posted on December 13, 2016 by tedmanzer

It’s so hard to find landscaping with winter interest. Once mid-December hits and freezing temperatures are commonplace, most fall foliage color is gone. Very few flowers and flowering shrubs are blooming either. Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) still manages to display … Continue reading →

Posted in foraging | Tagged Carolina jessamine, deer resistant, full sun, Gelsemium sempervirens, glossy leaves, ground cover, invasiveness, moist sites, partial shade, perennial woody vine, poisonous, wide variety of soils, yellow flowers | Leave a comment

Vinca vines are tough and beautiful but can be invasive

Posted on December 11, 2016 by tedmanzer

Few ground covers can fill any area as effectively as periwinkle vine. There are actually two species commonly used and both have prolific bluish purple flowers. Both also have the ability to spread where they aren’t wanted. Lesser periwinkle (Vinca … Continue reading →

Posted in foraging | Tagged big leaf periwinkle, bluish purple flowers, dogbane family, erosion control, exotic species, invasive, lesser periwinkle, medicinal use, poisonous, running stems, tolerates drought, variegated, Vinca major, Vinca minor | Leave a comment

Fall Clematis is a vigorous white vine that’s easy to grow

Posted on September 25, 2016 by tedmanzer

I drove to the beach two weekends ago and saw huge expanses of white flowers along the roadside through Tyrrell and Dare Counties. I recognized the vine immediately, but it has been a long time since I traveled that stretch of road … Continue reading →

Posted in general nature | Tagged aggressive pruning, bee and butterfly attractant, buttercup family, Clematis paniculata, deer resistant, fall clematis, flower heavily, fragrant natural screen, invasive vine, partial shade, poisonous | 2 Comments

Clematis fills a niche but is often difficult to establish

Posted on August 25, 2016 by tedmanzer

Well established clematis vines are breathtaking when in bloom. Large showy flowers can adorn a mailbox, fence or lamp post and bring it alive. Hundreds of cultivars are available in a cornucopia of colors, sizes and blooming seasons. The problem … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clematis, cool shaded roots, deciduous vine, difficult to establish, earwigs, full sunlight, high organic matter, near neutral pH, poisonous, well drained soil | Leave a comment

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