To Eat or Not to Eat

One of these is very poisonous, and the other is edible.

As I was walking to pick up the kids from summer school today, these two plants were growing right near one another. As a child, I am sure I would have picked that red ripe delicious looking fruit off the vine without thinking twice (or asking my mother).

It is a good thing that neither Claire or Momo have shown interest in doing that, because it is that very fruit - nightshade - that belongs in the poisonous plants category! It is related to the potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and several other nightshades in the same family.

The other plant, Day Lily, on the other hand, is quite edible. Certain species of Daylily is sold in Asian markets and is called 'golden needles'. Some are medicinal, but mostly, they are incorporated into soups and vegetable dishes.

But not all Daylilies are edible, and not all nightshades are deadly poisonous. One must always ask oneself: to eat or not to eat!